HeirloomContainer OK

Clover Microgreens

Trifolium repens

Once established, white clover can handle foot and tractor traffic better than other clovers. The fibrous root system typically is in the top 8" of soil, although it does have up to a 40" tap root in the first year which dies each fall, leaving a passage for water to percolate through. More heat tolerant than some of the larger clovers, this is a low-growing (to 12") perennial that can be sown into long-season row crops during the season to provide a "living mulch." Sow after first cultivation and rake or cultivate to cover. Also used for green manure, hay, and pasture. Inoculate with Alfalfa/True Clover Inoculant (#7535) for best performance.

Harvest

8-12d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Indirect light

☀️

Zones

3–10

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

4-6 inches

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Harvest

Start Indoors

Harvest

Showing dates for Clover Microgreens in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 microgreen →

Zone Map

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Clover Microgreens · Zones 3–10

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy to Moderate

SpacingDense planting, 1-2 seeds per square inch

SoilSoilless growing medium or organic potting mix

pH6.0-7.0

WaterModerate — regular watering

SeasonPerennial

FlavorSweet, mild, pea-like flavor with tender, succulent texture

ColorBright green leaves with pale green stems

Size8"

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 4	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 5	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 6	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 7	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 8	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 9	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 10	January – December	—	—	January – December

Complete Growing Guide

Light: All parts are edible and can be eaten raw or cooked. Dried flowers used in tea, young leaves used in salads. The young leaves can also be used as a vegetable, cooked like spinach. Flowers and seed pods are dried, ground into powder and used as a flour or sprinkled on cooked foods. The dried leaves impart a vanilla flavor to cakes.. Soil: Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt). Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 0 ft. 4 in. - 0 ft. 6 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Four to six tiny seeds in a brown pod.

Color: Brown/Copper. Type: Legume.

Harvest time: Fall

Bloom time: Spring, Summer

Edibility: All parts are edible and can be eaten raw or cooked. Dried flowers used in tea, young leaves used in salads. The young leaves can also be used as a vegetable, cooked like spinach. Flowers and seed pods are dried, ground into powder and used as a flour or sprinkled on cooked foods. The dried leaves impart a vanilla flavor to cakes.

Storage & Preservation

Fresh clover microgreens stay crisp for 5-7 days when stored properly in the refrigerator. After harvesting and washing, thoroughly dry the microgreens and store them in breathable containers—either in paper towels inside plastic containers or in specialized microgreen storage bags that allow air circulation while maintaining humidity.

Keep stored microgreens at 35-40°F in your refrigerator's crisper drawer. Avoid airtight plastic bags, which trap moisture and cause rapid deterioration.

For preservation, clover microgreens freeze well for smoothies—flash freeze on parchment-lined trays, then transfer to freezer bags for up to 6 months. Dehydrating at 95°F creates a concentrated seasoning powder perfect for soups and salad dressings. Unlike mature clover, microgreens are too delicate for traditional preservation methods like fermentation or canning.

History & Origin

Origin: Europe

Advantages

+Disease resistance: Erosion, Foot Traffic, Poor Soil, Rabbits, Squirrels
+Attracts: Bees, Butterflies, Moths, Pollinators
+Wildlife value: This plant supports Clouded Sulfur (Colias philodice) larvae which appear from May to October in the North and from March to November in the South. There are 3 flights in the North and 4 to 5 flights in the South. Adult Clouded Sulfur butterflies feed on flower nectar from many different plants. Attractive to native and honey bees. Used as forage for livestock.
+Edible: All parts are edible and can be eaten raw or cooked. Dried flowers used in tea, young leaves used in salads. The young leaves can also be used as a vegetable, cooked like spinach. Flowers and seed pods are dried, ground into powder and used as a flour or sprinkled on cooked foods. The dried leaves impart a vanilla flavor to cakes.
+Fast-growing

Companion Plants

Plant Together

Lettuce

Shares similar growing conditions and harvest timing, no competition for space

Radish Microgreens

Natural pest deterrent properties protect clover from fungal issues

Arugula Microgreens

Compatible growth rates and complementary nutrient profiles

Broccoli Microgreens

Similar water and light requirements, good companion crop rotation

Pea Shoots

Both legumes that can share beneficial soil bacteria and growing conditions

Spinach Microgreens

Non-competitive root systems and similar environmental needs

Kale Microgreens

Complementary growth habits and shared resistance to cool temperatures

Chives

Natural antifungal properties help prevent damping-off disease in microgreens

Keep Apart

Sunflower Microgreens

Allelopathic compounds inhibit germination and growth of clover

Buckwheat Microgreens

Rapid growth can overshadow and outcompete slower-growing clover

Mustard Microgreens

Strong allelopathic effects can suppress clover seed germination

Nutrition Facts

Calories

69kcal(3%)

Protein

1.5g(3%)

Fiber

5.3g(19%)

Carbs

17.6g(6%)

Fat

0.1g(0%)

Vitamin C

54.1mg(60%)

Vitamin A

5mcg(1%)

Iron

1.61mg(9%)

Calcium

8mg(1%)

Potassium

304mg(6%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #167782)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Generally resistant to most diseases, hardy legume

Common Pests

Aphids occasionally, spider mites in dry conditions

Diseases

Root rot from overwatering, powdery mildew in humid conditions

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do clover microgreens take to grow?▼

Clover microgreens are ready to harvest in 8-12 days from sowing. They're among the faster-growing microgreens, with germination typically occurring within 2-3 days and harvest-ready size reached by day 8-10 under optimal conditions of 65-72°F with 12-16 hours of daily light.

Do clover microgreens need to be soaked before planting?▼

Yes, soaking clover seeds for 4-8 hours before sowing significantly improves germination rates and timing. The hard seed coat benefits from this pre-treatment, resulting in more uniform sprouting. Skip soaking and you'll likely see patchy, delayed germination across your growing tray.

What do clover microgreens taste like?▼

Clover microgreens have a mild, sweet flavor reminiscent of fresh peas with a tender, juicy texture. They're less intense than radish or mustard microgreens, making them perfect for children or those new to microgreens. The flavor becomes more pronounced as the true leaves develop.

Can you grow clover microgreens without soil?▼

Absolutely! Clover microgreens grow excellently in soilless mediums like coconut coir, hemp mats, or vermiculite mixes. Their natural nitrogen-fixing ability means they need fewer nutrients than other microgreens, making them ideal for hydroponic or soilless growing systems.

Are clover microgreens good for beginners?▼

Yes, clover microgreens are excellent for beginners due to their forgiving nature and quick results. They're naturally disease-resistant, don't require fertilizing, and have reliable germination rates. The main beginner challenge is avoiding overwatering during the initial blackout period.

How much light do clover microgreens need?▼

Clover microgreens need 12-16 hours of indirect light daily after germination. Use grow lights positioned 6-12 inches above trays or place near bright windows with filtered light. Too much direct sunlight will cause wilting and bitter flavors, while insufficient light leads to leggy, pale growth.