Pollinator plant

white clover

Trifolium repens

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Common names

20 names

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Catalogue language labels are reviewed separately from botanical source records.

English
Dutch
  • witte klaver[3]
French
  • Trèfle blanc[3]
  • Trèfle rampant[3]
German
  • Kriech-Klee[3]
  • Weiß-Klee[3]
Italian
  • Trifoglio bianco[3]
Portuguese
  • Trevo-branco[3]
  • Trevo-da-sorte[3]
Spanish
  • Carretón blanco[3]
  • Trébol blanco[3]

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Trifolium repens — Plant Toolbox common names ↗

NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox; English common names in a United States horticultural reference.

Source records
  • White Clover — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(6); heading: Common Name(s):; Trifolium repens.
  • Clover — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(1); heading: Common Name(s):; Trifolium repens.
  • Dutch Clover — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(2); heading: Common Name(s):; Trifolium repens.
  • Ladino Clover — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(3); heading: Common Name(s):; Trifolium repens.
  • Purple Dutch Clover — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(4); heading: Common Name(s):; Trifolium repens.
  • Shamrock — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(5); heading: Common Name(s):; Trifolium repens.
  • White Sweet Clover — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(7); heading: Common Name(s):; Trifolium repens.
[2] Royal Horticultural Society — common names ↗

Names retained from the referenced botanical profile or table.

Source records
  • white clover — Page 2, column 1, row top 517 pt; common-name cell after Trifolium repens.; Trifolium repens.
[3] Trifolium repens — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy. This is a common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • white clover — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • Kriech-Klee — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • Weiß-Klee — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • giant clover — results[0].names[67]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • Ladino clover — results[0].names[59]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • New Zealand Clover — results[0].names[53]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • white Dutch clover — results[0].names[20]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • Carretón blanco — results[0].names[46]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • Trébol blanco — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • Trèfle blanc — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • Trèfle rampant — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • Trifoglio bianco — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • witte klaver — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • Trevo-branco — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • Trevo-da-sorte — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
Plant references

Source-backed information

Published observations for this plant. Each reference supports the information beside it.

Taxonomy
Trifolium repens is an accepted species in Catalogue of Life.

Taxonomic treatment in the August 2026 release; the catalogue record name is preserved.

Sources [1]
Botanical family
Fabaceae

Family in the cited taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1]
Mature height
0.1–0.15 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Mature spread
0.3–0.3 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Plant habit
Creeping; Prostrate

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Life cycle
Perennial

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Growth rate
Rapid

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Foliage
Deciduous

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day); Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Moisture and drainage
Good Drainage; Moist

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt)

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)

NC State Extension profile. These source categories do not certify the catalogue’s numeric pH interval.

Sources [2]
Flowering season
Spring; Summer

NC State Extension profile. Seasons reflect the source region and do not verify the catalogue’s exact flowering months.

Sources [2]
Native range
Europe

NC State Extension profile. Origin reported by the source; this is not a claim of local nativeness.

Sources [2]
Reported wildlife attraction
Listed as attracting: bees, butterflies, moths, pollinators.

NC State Extension profile. Broad wildlife categories; this does not establish flower visits by a named bee species or quantify nectar and pollen.

Sources [2]
Pollinator guidance
RHS includes Trifolium repens in its Plants for Pollinators guidance.

RHS planting guidance. Choose accessible flowers with pollen and nectar; reduced-resource and double-flowered forms may be unsuitable.

Sources [3]
Catalogue ratings

Who this plant supports

Honey bees

High suitability
Nectar value High
Pollen value High
Plant profile

About this plant

white clover (Trifolium repens) is a herbaceous plant. It flowers from May to October.

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Catalogue of Life Trifolium repens — Catalogue of Life COL26.8

    COL26.8 (2026-08-20). Contributing checklist: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP): Fabaceae. This is taxonomic evidence, not an independent ecological study.

    Supports: TaxonomyBotanical family
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: NameUsage.tsv line 1427320; ID 58Q4Y; rank species; status accepted
    • Botanical family: NameUsage.tsv line 1427320; ID 58Q4Y; rank species; status accepted

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 4.0.

  2. NC State Extension Trifolium repens — Plant Toolbox

    NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Growing conditions and seasons reflect its United States horticultural context.

    Supports: Mature heightMature spreadPlant habitLife cycleGrowth rateFoliageLightMoisture and drainageSoil textureSoil pHFlowering seasonNative rangeReported wildlife attraction
    Relevant sections
    • Mature height: Dimensions / Height
    • Mature spread: Dimensions / Width
    • Plant habit: Habit/Form
    • Life cycle: Life Cycle
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Foliage: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
    • Light: Light
    • Moisture and drainage: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • Flowering season: Flower Bloom Time
    • Native range: Country Or Region Of Origin
    • Reported wildlife attraction: Attracts

    Source checked on .

  3. Royal Horticultural Society RHS Plants for Pollinators — Wildflowers

    RHS planting guidance; applicable flower-form restrictions are retained. General recommendations do not measure local nectar or pollen production.

    Supports: Pollinator guidance
    Relevant sections
    • Pollinator guidance: Page 2, column 1, entry Trifolium repens (top 517 pt)

    Source checked on .