White clover

Trifolium repens L.

Perennial Ground Cover
Nitrogen Fixer
Lawn Weed or Bee Lawn

Pet & Human Safety

People: No hazard foundPets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them

Hazardous parts

Not yet checked.

Preparation

This is an ornamental or lawn plant, not a food. No eating instructions are given.

Hazard type

Not yet checked.

Hazard route

none flagged by sources used

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Toxic to pets

No ASPCA entry found.

No pet-safety verdict was found: the ASPCA address for white clover returned only the general plant index, and NC State, Maryland and Minnesota Extension pages do not address toxicity to pets. Eating any plant material can upset a dog's or cat's stomach (ASPCA general note).

PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

Get the app: coming soon

Care

Hardiness zones: USDA zones 3a-10b (NC State Extension).
Light: full sun to part shade
Water needs: moderate
Mature size: NC State: 4-6 inches tall, mats about 12 inches wide or more. Minnesota: mats about 1-2 feet wide and 3-12 inches tall. Maryland: under 1 foot tall.
Family: Fabaceae (pea family)
Where it comes from: Europe; naturalized across North America (NC State Extension).