Photo: Judy GallagherCC BY 2.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped
Virginia mountain clover Plant Care
Trifolium virginicum Small & Vail
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Trifolium virginicum, the Kate's Mountain clover, is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae. It is native to West Virginia and Virginia in the United States, growing only on the Piedmont mafic barren, with Kate's Mountain as the type locality. Trifolium virginicum is the symbol of the West Virginia Native Plant Society, which claims it can also be found in Maryland and Pennsylvania.
Every 3–7 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Virginia mountain clover?
Water Virginia mountain 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.
Where Is the Virginia mountain clover Native To?
What Is the Virginia mountain clover?
Virginia mountain clover (Trifolium virginicum) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Trifolium genus. Virginia mountain clover is native to West Virginia and Virginia in the United States, growing mainly on the Piedmont mafic barren, with Kate's Mountain as the type locality. Virginia mountain clover is also known as Trifolium reflexum.
Virginia mountain clover displays a low-growing spreading perennial growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Virginia mountain clover produces small rounded flower clusters in white, pink, or red.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Virginia mountain clover?
Trifolium virginicum 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 Virginia mountain clover Need?
Virginia mountain clover thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Virginia mountain clover Prefer?
Trifolium virginicum grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Virginia mountain clover prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Virginia mountain clover?
Well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Virginia mountain clover to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Virginia mountain clover?
Feed Virginia mountain 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 Virginia mountain 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 Virginia mountain clover?
Virginia mountain clover can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to purple clover plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Virginia mountain clover Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Virginia mountain 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 Virginia mountain clover?
Virginia mountain 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 Virginia mountain clover Need?
Virginia mountain clover grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Virginia mountain clover is native to West Virginia and Virginia in the United States, growing mainly on the Piedmont mafic barren, with Kate's Mountain as the type locality. In cooler regions, grow Virginia mountain clover as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Virginia mountain 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.
Virginia mountain clover thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Trifolium Species
Other Trifolium species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Trifolium virginicum Small & Vail, family Fabaceae — World Flora Online record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Virginia mountain 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: Judy Gallagher, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons — original.
- 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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