Garden PlannerEvidence-aware. Garden with confidence.
Entire healthy mature white clover plant in a real garden bed, showing growth habit and scale.Primary identification image. 10–20 cm tall, 30–60 cm wide at maturity.

White clover

Trifolium repens L.

Also called: Dutch clover, Living mulch clover

Family
Fabaceae
Season
Cool-season hardy perennial
Best grown in
Portland, Oregon

A low, nitrogen-fixing ground cover used as a living mulch under brassicas in the best-studied intercropping trials; it competes unless managed.

Safety: Not grown for eating.

Add to plan View companions Calendar

Life cycle & growth stages

  1. 1. SeedBroadcast thinly and rake in.
  2. 2. EstablishmentMat forms in 6–8 weeks.
  3. 3. Living mulchMow to 5 cm when it competes with the crop.
  4. 4. FloweringWhite flowers feed bees.
  5. 5. TerminationDig in, cover or mow out before the next crop.

Growth stages are ordered chronologically; timing varies with cultivar, temperature, light and care.

Planting calendar for Portland, Oregon

direct sow 3 weeks before to 6 weeks after last frost; 40–60 days to maturity from sowing. Windows are derived from the region's average frost dates (last Apr 5, first Nov 5) and are estimates until you confirm your own dates in the calendar.

White cloverTrifolium repens
PlantStart indoorsDirect sowAutumn sowTransplantTendHarvest
White clover—Mar 15–May 17 (estimate)Aug 27–Sep 24 (estimate)——Apr 24–Dec 3 (estimate)
  • Direct sow: Mar 15 – May 17
  • Harvest: Apr 24 – Dec 3
  • Autumn sowing: Aug 27 – Sep 24

Spacing & support

In-row 10–15 cm; rows 15–15 cm. Planner footprint: 1 cell of 30 cm, 16 plants per cell.

Side-profile diagram of mature white clover: canopy 10–20 cm tall, 30–60 cm wide, shallow root zone, support and harvest-access envelope.

Soil & water

Soil
Any soil; tolerates low fertility
pH
6–7
Fertility
low
Water
Moderate; tolerates drought once established.
Frost
very hardy; tolerates frost

Support & training

No support structure needed.

White clover mid-season before harvest, showing branching, vining, rosette or upright habit and space occupied.

Harvest signs

  • Mow or cut back when it reaches 15 cm to limit competition

Common problems

Pests: slugs (harboured)

Diseases: None common

Appearance alone is not a diagnosis; confirm with a regional extension guide.

Side-by-side: healthy white clover leaf or fruit and an example of slugs.

Container growing

A ground cover, not a container plant.

Companion overview

3 reviewed relationship records (evidence: high).

Supported or conditional

Cabbage, Broccoli

Avoid or separate

Cabbage

Full companion profile

Crop rotation

Avoid planting white clover or other legume family crops in the same spot for 1 year. Rotation is about previous seasons, not about live neighbours.

Year 1Year 2Year 3FabaceaeOther familyOther familyback after 1+ years

Shared risks in Fabaceae: root rots (Fusarium, Pythium), bean rust, pea aphid.

Crop rotation hub

Sources, reviewer & update

Sources

Reviewer: Garden Planner editorial team (pending independent horticultural review)

Last reviewed: August 15, 2026 · version 1

Found an error or have feedback? Let us know.

Growing white clover

White clover is broadcast-sown into a prepared bed in spring or late summer and forms a 10–20 cm mat within two months. As a living mulch it suppresses weeds, protects soil and fixes nitrogen that becomes available mainly after it is cut or dug in.

White clover seed beside a ruler or coin for scale.
White clover seedling at cotyledon and first-true-leaf stage, in soil, distinguishable from common weeds.
White clover mid-season before harvest, showing branching, vining, rosette or upright habit and space occupied.

Undersowing cabbage with clover is one of the few companion practices with replicated field trials. Clover reduced several cabbage pests by disrupting their host-finding (Finch & Collier 2000; Theunissen et al. 1995), but it also competed with the cabbage and reduced head size unless it was mown, sown later than the cabbage, or kept in strips. The 2023 cabbage meta-analysis found the same pattern: less pest injury, a modest yield cost.

Two or more mature white clover plants with a tape measure showing in-row spacing (10–15 cm).

Clover is perennial and persistent; in a small garden, treat it as a managed crop with an exit plan (mow, cover or dig in), not a permanent carpet.

Edible parts and safety

Not grown for eating. Not grown for eating.

White clover at end of season: seed head, dry pod, spent plant or removal stage.

Pests and diseases

Common pests: slugs (harboured). Common diseases: none of note. These vary by region; a photograph is an example, not a diagnosis. See the pest and disease guides and your local extension service.

slugs on white clover, with a wider damage-context view.

Timeline

Season timeline for white clover: sowing, transplanting, flowering, harvest and bed occupancy aligned to frost dates.Text alternative: Direct sow Mar 15–May 17; Harvest Apr 24–Dec 3; Autumn sowing Aug 27–Sep 24.

Related plants

See also: Fabaceae family page · crop rotation · regional calendar · guides

Our Methodology & Sources

We synthesize peer-reviewed research, university extension publications, and trusted horticulture resources. Our evidence levels help you understand how strong the science is behind the guidance.

Evidence tiers

Supported evidenceConsistent results from multiple robust studies
Traditional claimHistorical use reported, limited scientific support
Context dependentMixed or variable results across conditions
No verified relationshipNo reliable evidence identified

Primary source types

  • Peer-reviewed journal articles
  • University extension publications
  • Government & research institute reports
  • Systematic reviews & meta-analyses

Last updated

August 24, 2026

Learn more about our approach