How to Get Rid of Clover from Your Lawn
Here is how to get rid of clover in your lawn: dig or pull out small patches by the root, treat larger infestations with a selective lawn weedkiller, then feed the grass so it thickens up and crowds the clover out. Clover moves in because the turf is thin and low on nitrogen, so feeding is what stops it coming back.
White clover is one of the most common lawn invaders in the UK, and right now in summer it is in full swing, throwing up those little white flowers across the grass. It is not difficult to deal with once you understand why it turned up in the first place. Here is how to clear it and, just as importantly, how to keep it from creeping back.
Why is clover growing in my lawn?
Clover thrives exactly where grass struggles: thin, hungry turf with low nitrogen in the soil. That is the clever trick clover pulls off. It fixes its own nitrogen from the air, so it does not need rich soil the way grass does, which lets it spread happily across patches where the grass has thinned out. So if clover is spreading, it is usually telling you the lawn is underfed and the sward is not dense enough to shade it out. Cutting too short makes it worse, because close mowing weakens the grass while leaving low-growing clover untouched. Get on top of those two things and you remove the conditions clover needs.
How do you get rid of clover in your lawn?
For a few small patches, the quickest route is to remove the clover by hand. Loosen the soil with a hand fork and lift out the whole plant, roots and all, because clover spreads by creeping stems that root as they go, so any bits left behind will regrow. Once it is out, fill the gap with a little soil and overseed so grass takes the space rather than more weeds. For anything larger than the odd patch, hand-weeding becomes a losing battle and a selective lawn weedkiller is the practical answer. A weed and feed treatment tackles broad-leaved weeds like clover while greening the grass at the same time, which is ideal during the growing season.
Using a selective weed and feed on clover
A selective treatment kills broad-leaved weeds such as clover, daisies and dandelions but leaves the grass unharmed, so you can treat the whole lawn in one pass. Apply it on a dry day when the lawn is actively growing and clover is in leaf, follow the rate on the pack, and do not mow for a few days either side so the weeds take up the treatment. Most products are limited to one or two applications a year, so check the label.
How do you stop clover coming back?
This is the part that actually matters, because clearing clover without fixing the cause just leaves the door open for it to return. Since clover moves into thin, underfed turf, the long-term answer is to feed the grass well and keep it dense. A regular feed through the growing season thickens the sward so it shades the soil, leaving clover nowhere to establish. In summer, reach for a no-scorch summer feed that holds colour and resilience through the heat, and always water it in if rain is not forecast. Pair that with mowing a touch higher, around 40 to 50 mm, so the grass out-competes low-growing weeds, and overseed any thin areas to close the gaps for good.
MyLawn is Mowd's free lawn-care app. It looks at your postcode's weather, the season and what your lawn needs, then tells you the single best next thing to do, in plain English, with reminders for jobs like weeding and feeding so the clover does not get the upper hand again. Take a look at MyLawn.
Related Mowd guides: Control Weeds in Your Lawn · UK Lawn Feeding Calendar · What Happens If You Don't Feed Your Lawn?
Frequently asked questions
Will feeding my lawn get rid of clover?
- Feeding is the key to keeping clover away, but it will not kill established clover on its own. Feed the grass to thicken it and crowd out new clover, and remove or treat the clover that is already there. Together, that clears it and stops it returning.
Does mowing get rid of clover?
- No. Clover grows low and flat, so mowing skims over it while weakening the grass if you cut too short. Mowing a little higher, around 40 to 50 mm, actually helps the grass shade out clover, but it will not remove clover that has already taken hold.
Is clover bad for your lawn?
- Clover is not harmful to the grass, and some people do choose to keep a clover lawn. But if you want a uniform green lawn, clover spreads quickly, gets slippery underfoot and attracts bees when it flowers, so most people prefer to remove it.
What is the best way to kill clover in a large lawn?
- For larger infestations, a selective lawn weedkiller or a weed and feed treatment is the most practical option, as it targets broad-leaved weeds like clover while leaving the grass unharmed. Apply during the growing season on a dry day, and follow the label for application limits.