Four Leaf Clover Plant Care
Marsilea botryocarpa F.Ballard
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Marsilea botryocarpa is a unique aquatic plant known for its distinctive four-leaf clover shape, making it a favorite among plant enthusiasts. Its natural habitat includes marshes and wetlands, where it thrives in moist soil or shallow water.
Every 3–7 days
Partial shade to full sun
65°F
60–80%
At a glance
How do you care for Four Leaf Clover?
Water Four Leaf Clover every 3–7 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it partial shade to full sun. It prefers temperatures of 65°F (18°C) and above and 60–80% humidity. Fertilize it every month during the growing season.
What Is the Four Leaf Clover?
Four Leaf Clover (Marsilea botryocarpa) belongs to the Marsileaceae family within the Marsilea genus. Four Leaf Clover is native to Australia, Southeast Asiaheight: 0.5width: 1fertilizer: 1wateringMin: 3wateringMax: 7humidityMin: 60humidityMax: 80temperatureMin: 65 temperatureMax:85 leafSize:2.
Four Leaf Clover displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Four Leaf Clover produces small inconspicuous sporocarps.
How Often Should You Water a Four Leaf Clover?
Marsilea botryocarpa requires watering every 3–7 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 3–7 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Four Leaf Clover Need?
Four Leaf Clover thrives in partial shade to full sun.
Light Requirement
Partial shade to full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Four Leaf Clover Prefer?
Marsilea botryocarpa grows best at temperatures of 65°F. Four Leaf Clover prefers humidity levels of 60–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
65°F
Humidity
60–80%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Four Leaf Clover?
Rich, loamy soil with good moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Four Leaf Clover to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Four Leaf Clover?
Feed Four Leaf Clover every month during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every month
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Four Leaf Clover?
Repot every 1-2 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Four Leaf Clover?
Four Leaf Clover can be propagated through spores, division of rhizomes. Similar propagation techniques also apply to japanese water clover plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Four Leaf Clover Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Four Leaf 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 Four Leaf Clover?
Four Leaf Clover is susceptible to snails, slugs, aphids. 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.
Keep exploring plants
Four Leaf 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 Marsilea genus — compare its care with other Marsilea species on PlantoScan.
Marsilea is part of the Marsileaceae plant family — browse all Marsileaceae genera and species.
Four Leaf Clover thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Marsilea Species
Other Marsilea species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Marsilea botryocarpa F.Ballard, family Marsileaceae (first published in Hooker's Icon. Pl. 36: t. 3600 (1962)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Four Leaf 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.
- 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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