Your clover lawn comes with its own batch of good luck
Weighing the pros and cons of a clover lawn helps you decide if this low-maintenance option suits your yard better than traditional grass.
Your clover lawn needs extensive prep work upfront, including soil testing and hand-weeding, but becomes highly self-sufficient once established across your yard.
Clover lawns thrive in both sun and shade with minimal mowing (just twice yearly) and add nitrogen to your soil without fertilizers.
Hiring a local lawn care professional provides expert guidance on soil prep and variety selection, helping you establish a thriving clover lawn.
It's official—word is getting out about grass alternatives that require less mowing, watering, and overall fussy maintenance. The rather lucky clover lawn is gaining attention in the landscaping world. If you're looking to make the switch yourself, start by weighing clover lawn pros and cons for your unique lawn.
A clover lawn is just as it sounds—a lawn composed of one or more popular clover varieties to take the place of traditional grass. Known for its low maintenance, deep roots, and lush appearance, some homeowners prefer a clover as an attractive yet eco-conscious option for their lawn. Homeowners may either fill their entire lawn with clover or mix it with a popular grass variety for their area.
Clover lawn viability varies based on where you live and the species you choose. For example, dutch white clover is a popular option and features white flowers that attract bees and pollinators. Microclover is another hardy variety and offers a more cohesive green across your lawn. Strawberry and red clover are additional options for more temperate climates, and win points for their tolerance in tricky soil.
| Pros of a Clover Lawn | Cons of a Clover Lawn |
|---|---|
| Drought-tolerance | Extensive prep |
| Minimal mowing | May invade other spaces |
| Adds nitrogen to the soil | Weak against foot traffic |
| Tolerant in sun and shade | Inconsistent with grass in winter |
| Encourage pollinators | Attracts bees (not ideal for kids) |
| Pest resistant |
The more you learn about clover, the clearer it becomes that they make a great lawn alternative. These deep-rooted, erosion-stopping plants can create a stunning landscape without all the work, water, and fertilizers.
If you’re aiming to cut down on water use, clover offers a great option in times of drought. Its deep roots reach further into the soil for moisture, meaning that—once established—you may only need to water your clover lawn once a week. During the rainy season, you can skip irrigation altogether.
Here's where clover truly shines. As your neighbor breaks out the mower once a week in the height of summer, clover lawns only require mowing—get this—twice a year. The clover's slow growth offers a tidy and natural lawn with one trim during the high season and one more before it goes dormant in the late fall.
Poor soil conditions are some of the most common issues in lawns. However, clover can add nitrogen to your soil, allowing you to skip the fertilizer and all the maintenance that goes along with low-nutrient grass.
Traditional grass may not thrive in areas with constant shade, such as close to your trees and along the side of your home. Most clover varieties only need between four and six hours of sun a day, meaning you get a more consistently lush lawn. If you're looking to rejuvenate your current lawn, ask your landscaper if clover would thrive in your unique landscape.
Hoping to welcome more bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds to your yard? A clover lawn creates the ideal ecosystem for beneficial bugs to spend their time, supporting both your garden and the overall ecosystem.
On the other side of the coin, most varieties of clover ward off common lawn pests, such as grubs and aphids. Additionally, a lusher lawn gives pests less of an opportunity to set up shop.
Clover lawns are not a fix-all for landscape care and you will have to put a little more work into getting it to thrive at the beginning. Here are some downsides to consider when weighing the clover lawn pros and cons.
Planting a clover lawn is not a complex DIY, but it can take longer to establish a strong weed-free lawn compared to grass. Testing your soil to ensure proper pH (between 6 and 7), is best, as well as choosing a nutrient-rich topsoil. Due to the longer growth time, you may also need to remove weeds by hand until the clover gains ground.
The double-edged sword of clover lawns is their spreading ability. While this means clover will properly cover your lawn, it can also travel into unwanted areas, such as flower beds, driveway cracks, and walkways.
If you're a big fan of holding large birthday parties, barbecues, and local dog gatherings on the lawn, your clover may struggle. Some varieties, such as microclover, hold up better against traffic, but you'll need to be careful not to trample the comparatively delicate blades.
Like grass, some clover goes dormant in colder climates during the winter. Some varieties will simply slow their growth and remain green while others will turn a pale brown color. If you mix clover seed with grass, you could end up with a patchy lawn in the cold months.
This feature snuck onto both the clover lawn pros and cons list. If you have children running around the lawn—or if you're allergic to bee stings—white, red, and strawberry clover will attract far more bees than other options.
Clover lawns are just one of the great grass alternatives out there. There are environmentally friendly and low-maintenance options that can make your home cozy, wild, or whimsical in the process. Here are some top picks.
A collection of fine fescue grasses—also known as no-mow grass—offers a lush and wispy lawn without the constant trimming.
Creeping thyme, creeping Charlie, or creeping Jenny are all low-growing vine plants with lush green leaves and occasional flowers.
Cut out the mowing and fertilization completely with a moss lawn, a tough drought-tolerant ground cover option.
A variety of flowers such as chamomile and hostas can also act as ground cover.
A clover lawn is flexible and versatile for homes across the country. It's always best to chat with a local lawn care pro before investing in a big change, but clover lawns can trim down your landscaping in little time. If you're through with constant and water-heavy lawn care, clover could be a strong choice for you.
Wonderful. I am going to have them remove and replace my driveway in the spring.
All Star Paving and SealingWe were having 2”x 2” tile installed . There was a small installation error and the new additional replacement tile was from a different lot and the colors didn’t match. Joe assured us that he would rectify everything , which he did without hesitation. We decided to go with the 18” x 36” tile...
CarifaTileWe had a 20+ year old landscape lighting system that needed replacement. Midwest Lightscapes worked with us to design a much improved lighting system, lighting the exterior of the house and the back yard. Installation of the 45 light system took one and one-half days, and went very smoothly....
Midwest LightscapesDid an amazing job transforming my yard. Also installed sod in places, would recommend to everyone.
Cardinal Landscaping & Construction LLCWe hired Jim to replace our hardwood floors with new hardwood. He and his helper Jerry did a fantastic job. Their work ethic is impeccable!! We would highly recommend McColl Floors!
They show up and they did take us on as a client which seems to be a problem with other lawn care providers. We have multiple properties and this one was located close to downtown and no one really wants to mess with it.
The worker came out when he was supposed to come. He informed me he would honor the Angie's List deal, but would not do any more work for me since my son in law owns lawn care company as well, even though they do not do the same type of work. He said he did not feel comfortable giving me...
Bello Giardino LLCE & L Lawn Care was super. They were very responsive before and after service. They were efficient and were able to complete the job within 1 day. I have had concern about one section of sod - the owner was pro-active and did a visit to evaluate. I have no doubt they will stand behind...
E&L lawn careFrom average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
The cost to reseed a lawn can vary depending on the size of your yard and the condition of the soil. We’ll help you figure out the true cost of reseeding or overseeding your lawn, along with whether or not you should hire a professional.
Your total lawn care cost depends on several factors, including the type of service and lawn size. Our guide will cover what you can expect to pay for lawn care.
Incorporating clover into your lawn will give it that lush look, and it's relatively easy to maintain. Read on to learn why and how to have a clover lawn of your own.
Need to know how to kill clover in your lawn? Learn the best methods to get rid of clover weeds without killing your grass or other plants.
Does mowing less sound appealing? Here are the no mow grass pros and cons and alternative choices for a lawn that requires less maintenance.
Find and hire a qualified lawn aeration pro with confidence. Learn what questions to ask, credentials to check, and how to choose the right service for your lawn.
