Clover – Red

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Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) is a short-lived perennial legume widely used for livestock forage, hay production, pasture improvement, and soil building. Native to Europe, western Asia, and northwest Africa, it has become widely naturalized throughout North America and is valued for its adaptability, nitrogen-fixing ability, and attractive rosy-purple flowers.

Plants generally grow 12–36 inches tall and produce upright stems topped with rounded flower heads in shades of rosy purple to pink. The flowers appear from late spring through summer and provide an attractive display while also serving as a valuable food source for bees and other pollinating insects.

Red Clover performs well in full sun to partial shade and prefers cool, moist growing conditions and well-drained soils. It tolerates a range of soil types and can perform particularly well in slightly acidic soils. Its relatively good shade tolerance makes it useful for establishing within grass sods and mixed pasture plantings.

As a perennial legume, it develops a strong root system and can contribute nitrogen to the soil through nitrogen fixation. It is commonly used in hayfield rotations, pasture mixes, cover crops, erosion-control plantings, and other agricultural systems where both forage production and soil improvement are desired.

Planting

Red Clover can be planted in spring or fall depending on climate, soil conditions, and the intended use of the planting. Fall planting can be particularly useful in regions with mild winters, while spring planting is generally preferred in colder areas where winter survival of newly established plants may be limited.

Fall Planting

Fall planting is recommended in areas with mild to moderate winters. Sow directly into a prepared seed bed when temperatures have cooled enough to allow establishment without excessive top growth.

Fall-planted seeds can establish roots and vegetative growth before winter. Growth resumes as temperatures increase in late winter and spring, allowing the plants to develop before the main flowering period.

Spring Planting

Spring planting is a reliable option in colder regions and can also be used where fall establishment is not practical.

Sow into a prepared seed bed and provide good seed-to-soil contact. Seed should be planted shallowly, as small legume seed generally performs best when it is not buried deeply.

When used in pasture or hay mixtures, sowing with compatible grasses can provide a balanced planting that combines legume and grass production.

Planting in Other Regions

Red Clover can be grown across a broad range of temperate climates, although it generally performs best where summers are not excessively hot and dry.

In colder regions, spring planting is generally the safest option for establishing a new stand. In areas with milder winters and adequate fall moisture, fall planting can provide good establishment before winter.

For detailed information on site preparation, seeding methods, planting depth, and general planting practices, see our Planting Directions page.

Establishment & Growth

This short-lived perennial establishes readily from seed and develops strong vegetative growth after establishment. Plants generally reach 12–36 inches tall and produce upright stems with rounded rosy-purple flower heads.

Red Clover typically focuses on root and vegetative development during its first year, with more substantial flowering occurring during the second year and subsequent growing seasons. Under favorable conditions, plants can remain productive for several years, although stand longevity depends on climate, management, soil conditions, and variety.

The species is available in both single-cut and double-cut types. Double-cut types flower earlier and can produce multiple forage harvests, while single-cut types generally flower later and may offer greater winter hardiness.

Plants generally perform best in fertile, well-drained soils with adequate moisture. Avoid prolonged waterlogged conditions, which can reduce stand health and persistence.

Forage Use

Red Clover is an important forage legume used for pasture, hay, silage, and mixed forage plantings. It produces leafy, nutritious growth and can provide high-quality forage for cattle, sheep, goats, and other livestock when managed appropriately.

It is commonly planted with grasses such as orchardgrass and other cool-season forage species. Mixed stands can provide a productive balance of grass and legume forage while the clover contributes nitrogen to the soil.

The plants can be grazed or harvested for hay, with forage quality generally highest when harvested at an earlier stage of maturity. As flowering progresses and plants become more mature, fiber levels increase and overall forage quality can decline.

Red Clover is particularly useful in short-term pasture rotations and hayfield systems. Its perennial growth habit allows it to provide forage over multiple seasons rather than requiring annual replanting.

As with any livestock forage, grazing and harvest timing should be managed according to the needs of the livestock, the stage of plant maturity, and the overall forage program.

Soil Improvement & Cover Crop Use

Red Clover is valued not only for forage production but also for its ability to improve soil fertility. As a legume, it forms a symbiotic relationship with soil bacteria that allows it to fix atmospheric nitrogen.

The nitrogen contributed by the plants can benefit companion grasses and subsequent crops when the planting is properly managed. The root system and plant residue also contribute organic matter to the soil.

Red Clover can be incorporated into crop rotations, pasture renovations, hayfield rotations, cover crop mixes, and erosion-control plantings. Its ability to establish within grass sods also makes it useful for improving existing pasture stands.

Pollinator & Wildlife Value

The rosy-purple flower heads provide nectar for bees, butterflies, and other flower-visiting insects. The extended flowering period can provide an important seasonal floral resource during late spring and summer.

Allowing some plants to flower also adds visual interest to pasture edges, agricultural landscapes, and naturalized plantings.

Larger Quantities

For quantities larger than those currently listed for sale, please contact us for availability and pricing.

Seeding Rates

The broadcast rate for seeding is 20–25 pounds per acre.

The seed drill rate for seeding in rows is 10 pounds per acre.