How to Get Rid of Clover in Your Lawn

Lawn Care & Home Maintenance · 3 min read

Noticing clovers in your yard spreading through otherwise healthy turf is frustrating. Those little white weeds in lawn areas, the white weeds in grass, and the various clover looking weeds in grass that appear each season all signal the same problem: conditions in your lawn currently favor a clover plant over your lawn grass. Understanding what you are dealing with and how to address it properly is how you get ahead of it for good.

Is white clover a weed?

Is white clover a weed? The most common species, white clover trifolium repens, is a low-growing broadleaf perennial that spreads through both clover seeds and creeping stems. While some homeowners tolerate it as a ground cover because it stays green and can attract bees, most want it gone once clover growing becomes widespread. There are several types of clover that show up in residential lawns including Dutch clover, yellow clover in lawn varieties, and various clover type weeds such as oxalis and black medic that behave as clover like weed in lawn and clover like weed in grass situations.

Why clover thrives in your lawn

Clover dominates in poor soil with low nitrogen and compacted conditions that limit lawn grass root development. It is especially aggressive during cool season growing periods when grass slows down and clover keeps spreading. A well-fed, properly maintained lawn creates conditions that naturally suppress clover growing before it establishes. Without that foundation, get rid of grass clovers efforts produce only temporary results.

How to get rid of clover in your yard

For small patches, manual removal through hand pulling works well. Pull the entire clover plant including the root rather than cutting at the surface. Remove clover by hand after rain when soil is soft for the cleanest extraction. Hand pulling and manual removal are practical for isolated spots but do not scale to larger infestations.

For how do I get rid of clover in lawn areas that have spread significantly, selective broadleaf weed control herbicide is the most effective solution. These weed killers target broadleaf weeds like clover without harming surrounding lawn grass. Apply when the clover plant is actively growing in spring or early fall for the strongest results. This is also the best way to get rid of clover in grass, the best way to get rid of clover in lawn, and ultimately the best way to kill clover in your lawn when the problem has moved beyond what manual removal can handle.

Do not mow before applying herbicide. The leaf surface needs to be intact for the product to absorb properly. Wait at least three days after treatment before mowing to allow the weed killers to move fully through the clover plant system.

Does weed and feed kill clover?

Does weed and feed kill clover? Some formulations do. Products that include broadleaf herbicide ingredients can weed and feed kill clover effectively when applied correctly to actively growing plants. Always check the label to confirm that white clover, dutch clover, and similar clover type weeds are listed as controlled species. For stubborn or widespread infestations, a dedicated broadleaf weed control product outperforms general weed and feed options. A professional lawn care company selects the right product for the specific types of clover present and applies it at the correct timing to maximize results on how to get rid of white clover in grass, how to get rid of dutch clover, and how to get rid of white clover in yard situations.

How to prevent clover in lawn areas long term

Knowing how to prevent clover in lawn spaces from returning means fixing what made them vulnerable in the first place. Regular fertilization addresses the low nitrogen that lets clover growing outcompete lawn grass. Annual aeration tackles compaction. Overseeding thin areas closes the bare soil gaps where clover seeds germinate. A lawn care company that delivers consistent fertilization, broadleaf herbicide applications at the right time of year, and proper mowing practices keeps white weeds in lawn areas, clover looking weeds in grass, and all related clover type weeds from reestablishing after treatment. That is how you remove clover once and prevent clover from ever taking hold again.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get clover out of my lawn for good?

Selective broadleaf weed control herbicide applied while the clover plant is actively growing is the most effective method. Pair treatment with a long-term lawn care program that includes regular fertilization and aeration to prevent clover from returning.

What are the little white flowers in my grass?

Small white flowers in grass are almost always white clover trifolium repens or a closely related clover type weed. A selective broadleaf herbicide applied to actively growing plants removes them effectively without harming surrounding lawn grass.

Does weed and feed kill clover?

Some weed and feed products contain broadleaf herbicide ingredients that kill clover when applied correctly. Check the label to confirm white clover and related clover type weeds are listed. A lawn care company can recommend the right product for your specific situation.