How to Get Rid of Clover: 8 Tips for Removing Clover Grass

Clover plants (Trifolium) are legumes and perennial weeds (similar to creeping charlie plants and dandelions). These tiny growths generally sprout three leaves and tiny flowers, but in some cultures, finding a four-leaf clover is a sign of good luck. White clover (Trifolium repens) is perhaps the most common variety; you can identify it by its small white flowers.

All species of clover can quickly spread throughout flower beds, but deciding whether or not to remove clover is up to each individual gardener. Clover does limited damage to the surrounding grass in your garden beds, so deciding whether or not to remove this lawn weed is really up to you. You might find clover unsightly, or you might like the look of these tiny, curvy plants—perhaps you even want to consider growing a clover lawn. Ultimately, the decision depends on your own personal preferences.

Clover has an easier time spreading if it encounters certain conditions. These three will likely lead to the rapid spread of clover in your yard:

1. 1. Compacted soil: The less aerated and the more compacted your soil, the easier it is for clover to sprout. Compacted soil means unhealthy soil—the more tightly clumped together it is, the less likely your desirable plants can access all the nutrients they need to keep weeds at bay.
2. 2. Incorrect soil pH: Maintaining a very moderate level of soil pH, 6.0–7.0 as a general rule, can help prevent clover from taking over flower gardens. Clover has an easy time spreading regardless of whether soil is too alkaline or too acidic.
3. 3. Inadequate nitrogen levels: Clover grows its own nitrogen sources, so it can take advantage of soil with low nitrogen levels. By using a fast-release or slow-release fertilizer with plenty of nitrogen, you can help your plants grow quickly and stave off a clover invasion.

By following the usual rules of weed control, you can rectify your clover problem pretty easily. Follow these eight tips to get rid of clover:

1. 1. Act quickly. It’s important to kill clover as soon as you see it crop up if you don’t want it in your garden. The sooner you get rid of weeds like these, the less chance they have to spread like wildfire throughout the rest of your yard. Whichever strategy you use, act as fast as you can so that you’re dealing with just a patch of clover rather than an entire lawn full of it.
2. 2. Consider using corn gluten meal. Organic compounds called dipeptides in corn gluten meal negatively interact with clover to kill the plant as it grows. They do so without adversely affecting the rest of your grass. Use about twenty pounds of corn gluten meal per one thousand square feet throughout your garden. Then water the ground, letting the moisture seep into the soil to do its work.
3. 3. Cover the clover. Depriving clover of the sunshine and air it needs to grow will smother the weed. Cover the patches with a garbage bag or another form of plastic sheeting for several weeks. Use something heavy to anchor down the sides of this sheet so it doesn’t get blown away. Eventually, the clover will die.
4. 4. Feed your garden bed well. One of the main ways to prevent broadleaf weeds, such as clover and crabgrass, from taking over your garden is to ensure you’re taking good care of your yard as a whole. By giving the soil plenty of water, organic fertilizer, and light, you’ll naturally impede clover growth before it becomes too much of a nuisance.
5. 5. Mow your lawn higher. Next time you take out your lawn mower, consider setting the mowing height to three or more inches to leave your grass taller. This keeps clover from sprouting because it needs shorter grass to really thrive.
6. 6. Remove clover manually. If you’re dealing with only small patches of clover rather than an entirely overrun garden, consider just removing them manually. Pull them out by their root systems to make sure they can’t grow back again.
7. 7. Reseed your lawn after removing any clover. You can better control clover seeds and prevent the plant’s germination in the future by immediately planting grass seeds after you remove any clover. Add a layer of mulch and fertilizer to promote grass growth. Clover will have far less of an opportunity to grow if you have a healthy lawn packed full of grass.
8. 8. Use a selective herbicide. You can either apply a DIY solution or purchase a premade broadleaf herbicide to handle a clover problem. The more natural way entails combining dish soap, vinegar, and water into a makeshift organic weed killer and putting it in a spray bottle. Spray the clover specifically and avoid getting it on the rest of your grass. Repeat this step daily until the clover dies. For a store-bought solution, seek out ingredients like dicamba and glyphosate. Pre-emergent herbicides can stop the problem before it even begins. Apply synthetic formulas in a similar manner as you would organic alternatives.

Grow your own garden with Ron Finley, the self-described "Gangster Gardener." Get the MasterClass Annual Membership and learn how to cultivate fresh herbs and vegetables, keep your house plants alive, and use compost to make your community—and the world—a better place.