Red Clover Seed

Red Clover Trifolium pratense is a taller growing perennial clover with large trifoliate leaves and rounded pink red flower heads. It forms strong, deep roots that help to break up compacted soil, improve soil structure and reduce nutrient loss, particularly on lighter soils. This makes it well suited to meadows, wildflower areas and garden patches rather than regularly mown lawns.

As a legume, red clover fixes nitrogen from the air in nodules on its roots. When cut down and dug into the soil, this nitrogen is released, improving soil fertility and structure. Its dense leafy growth also helps to suppress weeds and protect bare soil, making it an effective green manure, especially before nitrogen-hungry crops such as brassicas.

Red clover should be sown between April and September (weather permitting) and can be grown for several months or left in place for up to 18 months. It is drought tolerant once established and grows best on loam or sandy soils. Due to its height and growth habit, it is best suited to wildflower areas or meadow style planting. It can be added to lawns only where mowing is very infrequent and flowering is allowed.

How to sow

Prepare the soil by digging it over and removing weeds. Firm the surface by treading lightly, then broadcast the seed evenly. Rake in gently and water well. In dry periods, watering may be needed until plants are established.
Use approximately 1.5g per square metre when sowing into an existing sward, or 10g per square metre when sowing onto a bare seedbed.

Maintenance as a green manure

Cut down the plants before flowering while the stems are still soft, as this allows them to decompose more easily. Dig the material into the top 15cm of soil, where earthworms will help incorporate the organic matter and release stored nitrogen.

To sow as a pollinator-friendly wildflower

Red clover is exceptionally rich in nectar and is a favourite of many bees, including honeybees and red tailed bumblebees. To support pollinators, allow plants to flower and avoid frequent cutting. It works particularly well in meadows and wildlife friendly garden areas where taller growth is welcome.

Please note that although clover grows naturally in Britain, this seed is an agricultural variety and may be sourced from trusted growers overseas. For native red clover seed, please see Wild Red Clover Wildflower Seed or Wild Red Clover Plug Plants.