Image: AI generated
Red Clover Plant Care
Trifolium pratense L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Trifolium pratense, red clover, is a herbaceous species of flowering plant in the bean family, Fabaceae. It is native to the Old World, but planted and naturalised in many other regions.
Every 3–7 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Red Clover?
Water Red Clover every 3–7 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 4 months during the growing season.
What Is the Red Clover?
Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Trifolium genus. Red Clover is native to the Old World. Red Clover is also known as Purple Clover, Cow Clover, Meadow Clover.
Red Clover displays a low-growing spreading perennial growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Red Clover produces small rounded flower clusters in white, pink, or red.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Red Clover?
Trifolium pratense 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 Red Clover Need?
Red Clover thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Red Clover Prefer?
Trifolium pratense grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Red Clover prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Red Clover?
Well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Red Clover to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Red Clover?
Feed Red Clover every 4 months 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 4 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Red Clover?
Divide and replant every 2-3 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 Red Clover?
Red Clover can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps.
Is the Red Clover Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Red 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 Red Clover?
Red Clover is susceptible to aphids, leafhoppers, clover 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 Red Clover Need?
Red Clover grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Red Clover is native to the Old World. In cooler regions, grow Red Clover as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Red 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 Trifolium genus — compare its care with other Trifolium species on PlantoScan.
Trifolium is part of the Fabaceae plant family — browse all Fabaceae genera and species.
Red 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: Trifolium pratense L., family Fabaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 768 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record, Wikidata.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Red 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: AI-generated illustration (labelled on the image).
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- 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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