Clover Lawn Pros and Cons

Are you waking up to the environmental and health impacts that come with a traditional grass lawn? Maybe you’re dreaming of a wildflower meadow full of butterflies and rainbows surrounding your home. Before you get off the grid and dive headfirst into your cottagecore wonderland, consider a popular alternative: A clover lawn might be the answer. We’ll help you consider clover lawn pros and cons to help you decide if it’s the right fit for your yard.

What Is a Clover Lawn?

A clover lawn is exactly what it sounds like: a lawn made primarily of clover rather than traditional grass varieties like Bermuda, fescue, or zoysia. Thanks to its low-growing habit and hardy nature, white Dutch clover is the most commonly used lawn species. Although clover is often considered a weed, more homeowners are embracing it as a sustainable lawn option.

The Pros of Clover Lawns

Low Maintenance

One of the biggest draws of clover lawns is how easy they are to care for. Clover is a hands-off option, unlike grass lawns that often demand regular mowing, watering, and fertilizing. It grows to a manageable height and doesn’t require constant trimming to look neat. Clover is drought-tolerant, meaning you’ll spend less time dragging out the hose or adjusting your sprinkler settings

Natural Fertilizer

Clover has a unique ability to fix nitrogen in the soil by pulling nitrogen from the air and converting it into a form plants can use as fertilizer. Mixing clover into your lawn is a great way to nourish the surrounding grass naturally. Clover naturally enriches the soil with nitrogen so you can rely less on synthetic fertilizers. You’ll save money and promote a healthier environment by reducing the need for chemical inputs in your yard.

Eco-Friendly

Clover lawns are an eco-friendly choice because they need less water, fewer chemicals, and less energy. With less frequent mowing, you’ll reduce fuel or electricity usage, and the nitrogen clover adds to the soil and eliminates much of the need for synthetic fertilizers. Because clover is drought tolerant, it also helps conserve water, making it a sustainable option for maintaining a green and healthy yard.

Soft Under Your Feet

Clover creates a thick carpet that feels soft underfoot. It’s perfect for barefoot strolls, picnics, or kids and pets playing in the yard. Unlike grass, clover stays soft and green even in summer heat, when many grasses turn brown and brittle.

Resistant to Pests

Because it isn't their preferred food source, clover tends to be less affected by pests like grubs. Its dense growth can also help crowd out some weeds, reducing the need for weed control in certain conditions. However, this isn’t foolproof, as some weeds that thrive in similar conditions to clover may still invade.

Stays Green Year-Round in Raleigh-Durham

Clover stays green throughout the year in many climates, even during cooler months when traditional grass goes dormant. Because clover is resilient to seasonal changes, you can maintain a nice lawn while traditional grass like

Bermuda and Zoysia turn brown in the winter.

Affordable

Clover seed is often cheaper than grass seed, making it a budget-friendly option for homeowners looking to establish or revamp their lawns. It’s also quick to germinate, so you won’t have to wait long to see results.

Pollinator-Friendly

Clover is a simple way to attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators to your yard. Its small flowers provide nectar that supports these insects, which play an important role in local ecosystems. Adding clover to your lawn helps pollinators thrive and improves the natural charm of your outdoor space.

The Cons of Clover Lawns

While clover lawns have plenty of perks, they’re not without their drawbacks. Here are some potential downsides to consider.

Not as Durable for Heavy Foot Traffic

Clover may be soft under your feet, but it’s not as tough as traditional grass when it comes to heavy foot traffic. If your family has activity from kids running around, dogs playing, or frequent backyard gatherings—clover may wear down more quickly in high-traffic areas.

Flowers May Attract Bees

While clover’s flowers are a boon for pollinators, they can also attract bees to your yard. If you or a family member has a bee allergy or simply want to avoid frequent bee activity, you’ll want to avoid it. However, regular mowing can minimize flowering and reduce the number of bees.

Stains Easily

Clover leaves can stain clothing more easily than grass. If you have kids who love rolling around in the yard or playing outdoor games, be prepared for the occasional green-stained shirt or pair of jeans.

Doesn’t Thrive in All Climates

Clover grows well in many regions but is not a one-size-fits-all solution. It prefers cooler, wetter climates and may struggle in areas with extreme heat or dryness. Clover might not be the best choice if you live in a very hot or arid region.

Patchy Growth

Sometimes, clover lawns can grow unevenly, especially if soil conditions aren’t ideal. Clover lawns sometimes develop uneven patches that might need reseeding or extra care to look consistent. Improve soil by correcting drainage issues or adding the right nutrients to reduce these problems and encourage even, healthy growth.

Shorter Lifespan

Clover isn’t a perennial in all climates. In regions with harsh winters, such as the northern United States, or areas with extreme heat and aridity, like parts of the southwestern U.S., it often behaves as a short-lived perennial or even an annual. You’ll need to reseed periodically to maintain a full lawn in these environments.

Allergy Concerns

While beautiful and beneficial to pollinators, Clover's flowers can trigger allergies in some people. If you or your family members are prone to seasonal allergies, this is something to keep in mind.

Other Weeds May Take Over

One of the major challenges with clover lawns is that they’re more susceptible to being overtaken by other weeds. The challenge is that most broadleaf herbicides, including organic ones, will kill the clover along with the weeds. Since clover isn’t a type of grass, it doesn’t have the same natural resistance to the herbicide.

Clover is a broadleaf plant, meaning it falls into the same category as dandelions, chickweed, and other weeds that selective herbicides target. Grass, on the other hand, belongs to the monocot family, which has different leaf and vascular structures than broadleaf plants (dicots). Selective herbicides exploit these structural differences, effectively killing the weeds while allowing grass to thrive.

That’s why managing weeds in a clover lawn often requires manual removal or spot treatment. We’ve received many calls from homeowners who have lost the battle with weeds in their clover lawns.

May Be Considered Unconventional

While clover lawns are gaining popularity, they’re still considered unconventional in many neighborhoods. If you live in an area with strict HOA guidelines or neighbors who value a traditional grass lawn aesthetic, a clover lawn may be against HOA rules.

Planting and Caring for a Clover Lawn

Preparing your yard for a clover lawn doesn’t have to be complicated. Select a hardy variety like White Dutch clover, which grows low and adapts well to most conditions. Make sure your soil drains properly and is between a neutral to slightly acidic pH range. Testing your soil beforehand can help you identify and address any adjustments it might need.

It’s best to plant clover in early spring or late summer when the weather is mild and rain is more consistent. If you’re not ready to switch completely to clover, you can mix it with traditional grass to enjoy the benefits of both. After planting, clover requires minimal maintenance, with less mowing needed since it doesn’t grow tall. During dry spells, occasional watering keeps it lush, and any bare spots can be reseeded to ensure an even lawn.

Switching to Natural Lawn Care

Whether you keep a traditional grass lawn, plant clover, or turn your yard into a meadow, you will never again have to apply toxic chemicals. We can manage your lawn with non-toxic pesticides without harming your family, pets, or the planet. We just want you to be prepared for the pros and cons that come with each option.

A grass lawn is the easiest to treat for weeds, but it takes the most maintenance in the form of mowing and watering. A clover lawn is lower maintenance, but can easily be overtaken with weeds and can get you in trouble with the HOA. Finally, a wildflower meadow, while idyllic, will attract rodents, ticks, and snakes that thrive in taller, unmanaged vegetation.


Regardless of your choice, we applaud you for saying no to toxic chemicals around your home.

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