Red Clover

(Trifolium pratense)

Red Clover (Trifolium pratense)

/

return to results
Previous Plant Next Plant

/

Trifolium pratense image
scroll forward scroll backward
scroll forward scroll backward
Estimated Native Range
Species Map Help

Summary

Trifolium pratense, commonly known as red clover, is a herbaceous, short-lived perennial plant that varies in size, typically growing to 20–80 cm (8–31 in) tall. It is native to Europe, Western Asia, and northwest Africa, but has been naturalized in many other regions. Red clover thrives in meadows, grasslands, and open woodlands where it benefits from full sunlight. Its deep taproot allows it to be drought-tolerant and helps improve soil structure. As a legume, it enriches the soil by fixing atmospheric nitrogen, which promotes protein-rich growth, supporting a diverse range of wildlife such as deer, turkeys, and rabbits.

The plant features trifoliate leaves and round, dense inflorescences of dark pink flowers with a paler base, each flower measuring 12–15 mm (0.5–0.6 in) long. Flowering occurs from late spring to early autumn, attracting pollinators like bumblebees. Red clover’s flowers are not only aesthetically pleasing but also beneficial for pollinators, making it a popular choice for ornamental use in gardens. It is also widely cultivated as a fodder crop due to its ability to increase soil fertility through nitrogen fixation. For optimal growth, red clover requires full sun exposure and can adapt to a range of soil drainage conditions, from fast to slow. While it is generally easy to maintain, red clover can be susceptible to root rots and foliar diseases, especially in poorly drained soils. It is sometimes considered invasive outside its native range, so gardeners should be cautious about its potential to spread.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

  • Plant Type: Herb
  • Height: 1-3 feet
  • Width: 0.3-0.7 feet
  • Growth Rate: Rapid
  • Flower Color: Pink, Purple
  • Flowering Season: Spring
  • Leaf Retention: Deciduous

Growth Requirements

  • Sun: Full Sun
  • Water: Medium
  • Drainage: Fast, Medium, Slow

Common Uses

Bank Stabilization, Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Drought Tolerant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Erosion Control, Fragrant, Groundcover, Low Maintenance, Rock Garden, Street Planting

Natural Habitat

Native to Europe, Western Asia, and northwest Africa, thriving in meadows, grasslands, and open woodlands

Other Names

Common Names: Peavine Clover, Purple Clover, Cowgrass Clover, Medium Red Clover, Mammoth Red Clover, Chilean Clover, Chemen Yoncha, Rød-Kløver, Rot-Klee, Rotklee

Scientific Names: , Trifolium pratense, Trifolium pratense subsp. spontaneum, Trifolium bracteatum, Trifolium silvestre, Trifolium boeticum, Trifolium pratense subsp. boeticum, Lagopus pratensis, Trifolium brachystylum, Trifolium heterophyllum

GBIF Accepted Name: Trifolium pratense L.