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Ladino Clover is a variety of white clover that is prized for its robust growth and nitrogen-fixing ability. Compared to other varieties of white clover such as New Zealand White Dutch Clover, Ladino Clover grows taller and is more tolerant of acidic soils. This plant is easy to grow and can tolerate regular mowing or grazing. Whether you’re enhancing pastures, creating low-maintenance ground cover in landscaping, or supporting pollinators, Ladino clover is a versatile and attractive choice.
NAME: Clover (Trifolium repens)
VARIETY: Ladino
DAYS TO MATURITY: 22 – 30 days
POLLINATION: Open Pollinated
TYPE: Annual/Perennial (climate pending)
STATIFICATION: Not required
HARDINESS ZONE: Zones 3 – 11
SUNLIGHT: Full – Partial Sun
SOIL: Well-draining, average soils with a pH 5.8– 6.5
SPACING: 1 – 2 inches
PLANT HEIGHT: 8 – 12 inches
TEMP: 45 – 85ºF
These seeds do not required stratification.
To learn more about Stratification, click here!
Starting Ladino Clover seeds indoors is not recommended. While it’s technically possible to start these seeds indoors, it’s generally not recommended due to the plant’s preference for direct sowing and its ability to establish easily outdoors.
If you still prefer to start seeds indoors, follow these steps:
Use biodegradable pots or trays to minimize root disturbance during transplanting. Fill the containers with a well-draining potting mix. Sow the seeds thinly on the surface of the soil and lightly press them in.
Keep the soil consistently moist and maintain a temperature of around 60-70°F (15-21°C) for optimal germination.
Place the containers in a location with plenty of sunlight or under grow lights.
Transplant the seedlings outdoors once they have developed several sets of true leaves, being careful not to disturb the roots.
Direct sow clover seed outdoors into prepared soil immediately after your last local spring frost.
Sprinkle seed around the areas you want the clover to grow.
The closer together the seeds are the smaller the plants will be but less ground will be left bare.
Lightly roll over the seeds with a tamper or lightly step on them so they press firmly into the soil, covering no more than 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep.
Water the seeds in generously and germination should occur in 7 to 20 days depending on environmental factors.
Plants will fully mature in 65 days.
Once Ladino Clover reaches maturity, it will stand up to heavy mowing, animal grazing and foot or tractor compaction.
Once the plants reach maturity, you can either cut them down to the base, letting the nitrogen attached to the root nodules release into the soil, let animals feed off the tops, or leave the flowers to go to seed for self-reseeding.
Before sowing, prepare your soil by removing any weeds or large debris such as large sticks and stones, ideally giving these seeds a completely bare and leveled soil patch to sow onto in an area that is full sun to partial shade.
Once New Zealand White Dutch Clover plants have established, they require minimal care.
Dense seed spacing is ideal for applications like ground cover, animal fodder or restoring degraded and bare soils.
Allow the flowers to go to seed for easy reseeding, or allow animals to graze on the tops!
Fantastic when used as a groundcover in soils lacking nitrogen due to its ability to obtain nitrogen from the atmosphere and “fix” it underground onto nodules attached to its roots.
Ladino Clover can be harvested for forage or hay production once it reaches a height of 12-18 inches.
Harvesting can be done using conventional mowing equipment.
For hay production, harvest when the clover is in early bloom for the best balance of yield and quality.
Allow the clover to dry thoroughly before baling or storing.
