Photo: Cheng-Te HsuCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Japanese Clover Plant Care
Kummerowia striata (Thunb.) Schindl.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Kummerowia striata, also known as Japanese clover, is a low-growing ground cover with delicate trifoliate leaves that form a dense mat. It is native to East Asia and is popular among plant enthusiasts for its ability to fix nitrogen in the soil.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Japanese Clover?
Plant Japanese Clover in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 6a–10b) and water a young tree every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C). Fertilize it every month during the growing season.
What Is the Japanese Clover?
Japanese Clover (Kummerowia striata) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Kummerowia genus. Japanese Clover is native to much of Asia and. Japanese Clover is also known as Korean Clover, Striped Clover, Lespedeza striata.
Japanese Clover displays a low spreading groundcover growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Japanese Clover produces small pink to purple pea-like flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 1 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Japanese Clover?
Water a young or newly planted Japanese Clover every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Japanese Clover Need?
Japanese Clover thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Japanese Clover Prefer?
Kummerowia striata tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Japanese Clover prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Japanese Clover?
Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Japanese Clover to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Japanese Clover?
Feed Japanese Clover every month during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.
Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.
Fertilizing
Every month
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
Where Should You Plant a Japanese Clover?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Japanese Clover is suited to USDA Zone 6a – 10b.
Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.
How Far Apart Should You Plant a Japanese Clover?
Japanese Clover can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m). Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.
Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.
How Do You Prune a Japanese Clover?
Prune Japanese Clover while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.
If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.
How Do You Care for a Japanese Clover in Winter?
Japanese Clover is hardy down to USDA zone 6a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.
Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.
Young and container-grown trees need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.
How Do You Propagate a Japanese Clover?
Japanese Clover can be propagated through seeds, division of root ball. Similar propagation techniques also apply to sericea lespedeza plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Japanese Clover Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Japanese Clover, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Japanese Clover?
Japanese Clover is susceptible to aphids, leafhoppers, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Japanese Clover Need?
Japanese Clover grows outdoors in USDA Zone 6a – 10b. It survives winters down to planting zone 6a. Japanese Clover is native to much of Asia and.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 6a – 10b
Keep exploring plants
Japanese Clover is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Kummerowia genus — compare its care with other Kummerowia species on PlantoScan.
Kummerowia is part of the Fabaceae plant family — browse all Fabaceae genera and species.
Japanese Clover thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Kummerowia striata (Thunb.) Schindl., family Fabaceae (first published in Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 10: 403 (1912)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Japanese Clover, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: Cheng-Te Hsu, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 6a – 10b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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