While they’re not for everyone, clover lawns are pretty easy to start and a breeze to maintain. Here’s what to know about the pros and cons of this lawn type, and how to grow one for yourself. Clover was first brought into the U.S. from Europe in the 1600s and quickly started thriving across many parts of the country from there. “It grows well here—especially in disturbed areas like lawns,” says Nancy Lawson, naturalist and author of The Humane Gardener: Nurturing a Backyard Habitat for Wildlife. Lawns dotted with clover were the norm for hundreds of years until the rise of herbicides and pesticides convinced us that lawns should contain grass and grass only; anything else is a weed. These days, more people are starting to see the value in filling in their yards with many types of plants instead. Not only do they look more interesting than your typical turf, but wild gardens can also serve as refuges for local wildlife and havens for high-quality soil. For these reasons, clover lawns are now experiencing a comeback. Because of the plant’s nitrogen-fixing capabilities, clover lawns don’t require synthetic fertilizers—saving you more money and sparing the environment from harsh chemicals that can threaten nearby ecosystems and waterways1. However, Lawson notes, if attracting biodiversity is your goal, you’d be better off planting native species than clover. Native sedges, wildflowers, and low grasses will provide more food and habitat to the critters that roam in your area. A few of Lawson’s favorites include violets, spring beauties, daisy fleabanes, and low sedges like Pennsylvania sedge or Eastern woodland sedge. But she encourages you to check out resources like Wildlawn, Soft Landings, and Lady Bird Johnson’s Wildflower Center to learn more about how to start a native lawn using the plants that thrive in your particular area. You can either let your clover lawn run wild and flower to attract more biodiversity or trim it down every once in a while. It’s really a matter of preference. Re-seeding your clover lawn every two to three years will keep it looking fresh. Emma received her B.A. in Environmental Science & Policy with a specialty in environmental communications from Duke University. In addition to penning over 1,000 mbg articles on topics from the water crisis in California to the rise of urban beekeeping, her work has appeared on Grist, Bloomberg News, Bustle, and Forbes. She’s spoken about the intersection of self-care and sustainability on podcasts and live events alongside environmental thought leaders like Marci Zaroff, Gay Browne, and Summer Rayne Oakes.
