Permascaping, by Homegrown Foods
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Low clover lawn with small round leaves

Native & adapted

Microclover

Trifolium repens (small-leaved selections)

Also known as Micro clover · White clover · Dutch clover · Clover

A small-leaved white clover that knits into a lawn or stands on its own, feeds the soil with nitrogen and stays green with less water and no fertilizer. Mixed into Bermuda or Kurapia it fills thin spots and keeps the soil alive.

Nitrogen fixerWalkableLawn alternativeMixes into turf
Landscape layersGround cover
Mature size2–4 in. tall, spreading by runners
Climate fitUrban core · USDA 9b–10a · Valley suburbs · USDA 9a–9b · Desert outskirts · USDA 8b–9b
Special categoriesNITROGEN FIXING
Hardiness guidanceGrows best through the cooler months in the low desert; afternoon shade helps it through summer

Before you plant

These conditions determine whether it will thrive.

Cold hardinessHardy here

Clover is a cool-season plant, so Phoenix frost doesn't hurt it. Winter is when it looks its best.

Heat toleranceNeeds afternoon shade

Summer heat thins it out. Give it afternoon shade and steady water, and keep it away from hot west exposures.

Sources: plants.sc.egov.usda.gov

Right plant, right place

Will Microclover grow at your Arizona property?

Overseed into existing turf or Kurapia at a light rate, or sow on its own over prepared soil in fall. Mowing high keeps the leaves small and the stand dense.

Best regional fit: Urban core · USDA 9b–10a, Valley suburbs · USDA 9a–9b, Desert outskirts · USDA 8b–9b.

Light

Sun exposure

Full sun in the cool season; part shade or afternoon shade in summer.

Water

Irrigation

Moderate. Less than turf once established, more than a native groundcover in summer.

Planting & stewardship

How to help Microclover thrive

  1. 1

    Sow in fall onto loosened, raked soil and keep the surface moist until it is up.

  2. 2

    Skip nitrogen fertilizer: the clover makes its own, and extra feeds the weeds.

  3. 3

    Mow high, 2 to 3 inches, so it stays thick.

Read the horticultural reference ↗

Keep exploring

More plants for this system