Microclover and Miniclover are both variants of traditional white clover (Trifolium repens). They are both great alternatives to a grass lawn. There are really good reasons to go with clover lawns. You can plant Microclover, Miniclover, or even white clover as a standalone lawn. But it is best if you mix these with grass. Later in this article, I will show you some of the best lawn seed mixes that come with clover and grass seeds.
Please continue to read this article for the full comparison of white clover vs Microclover vs Miniclover. I will show you all the pros and cons and ultimately what suits your needs.
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Is Microclover the same as MiniClover?
Microclover and Miniclover are the same plants. They both are Trifolium repens. Trifolium repens is white clover and these two are a variant of white clover. So, they share many traits of their parent, white clover.
There is a lot of confusion between Microclover and Miniclover. A lot of people believe that these two are two different plants. But they are not. Miniclover is a registered trademark of Outsidepride Seed Source LLC. They sell Microclover seeds under the name of Miniclover.
Microclover seeds are sold in the United States under several names, including Miniclover, Microgreen Microclover, and Micro Clover.
So, remember Miniclover is exactly the same plant as Microclover.
You can buy Miniclover (Microclover) seeds here. You will need about two pounds of clover seeds per 1000 square feet.
- Miniclover is a perennial, white clover which only grows to approximately 4 – 6 inches tall after it…
- Miniclo1ver or this micro type clover is a trifolium repens seed used as a lawn alternative or…
- Many people also use this dwarf white clover for a ground cover when looking for a lawn alternative.
What is the difference between Miniclover and Microclover?
There is no difference between Microclover and Miniclover since they are the same plant.
What is the difference between white clover and microclover?
There are a lot of similarities between white clover and microclover. But there are a few differences between them too.
- Microclover is shorter than white clover.
- Microclover is denser than white clover.
- Microclover tolerates close mowings. White clover is not good with mowing. Microclover actually benefits from mowing. It will produce more leaves and grow dense with regular mowing.
- The leaves of Microclover are also smaller. They look great when mixed with grass.
Is micro clover better than white clover?
In simple terms, YES! Microclover is generally a better choice for lawns than white clover. This doesn’t mean white clove is necessarily bad. It all depends on the use. Microclover is shorter, more compact, and has smaller leaves than white clover. So, it looks way better as a lawn.
White Clover vs Microclover vs Miniclover: Comparison Table
| Microclover (Miniclover) | White Clover | |
| Botanical name | Trifolium repens var. ‘Pirouette’ and ‘Pipolina’ | Trifolium repens |
| Common names | Microclover Miniclover Microgreen Microclover Micro Clover | White clover Dutch white clover |
| Native area | Developed in Denmark | Europe British Isles Central Asia Also found in North America, Australia, and New Zealand |
| Plant type | Herbaceous perennial | Herbaceous perennial |
| Plant family | Fabaceae | Fabaceae |
| USDA Zone | 3 – 10 | 3 – 10 |
| Bloom time | Spring, summer | Spring, summer |
| Sun | Full or partial sun | Full or partial sun |
| Soil | Well-draining soil | Well-draining soil |
| Soil PH | Acidic / Neutral | Acidic |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic | Non-toxic |
Microclover lawn pros and cons
Benefits of growing Microclover
There are some benefits that make growing Microclover worth it over traditional white clover as a ground cover.
- Fixes Nitrogen from the air
All clover types including Microclover can absorb Nitrogen from the air and store them in their roots. Fixed Nitrogen can be absorbed by grass and other plants. - Reduce the fertilization needs
Microclover lawns or mixed lawns need less fertilizers than grass-only lawns. This will save significant money over time. - Aerate the soil
The roots of Microclover go deep into the soil and aerate the soil. This improves the air circulation of the soil. - Can be grown in compacted soil
The root system can penetrate through heavily compacted soil easily. - Short, small, and more compact than white clover
Micro clover has smaller leaves when compared to white clover. This is perfect since it can easily blend with existing grass lawns. Also, it grows much shorter, usually between 4 to 6 inches. - Easier to mow
Microclover is easier to mow than white clover. It can be mowed down to 3 inches. It grows thicker and denser once mowed. - Can be mixed with grass easily
Microclover can be mixed with Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass easily due to their size. - Improve the color
They have a vibrant green color and improve the color of the lawn when planted with grass. - Crowds out weeds
Microclover is a fast grower and it will fill the gaps in between grass limiting space for weeds. - Tolerant to drought
This clover is mildly tolerant to drought. Microclover has a strong root system that travels deep into the soil. It can extract water from deep soil thus eliminating the need for regular watering. - Cold hardy
Microclover is cold hardy down to USDA zone 3. It will remain mostly evergreen throughout the winter. - Reduce the soil erosion
The deep root system holds the soil tight so it won’t easily erode away. Perfect for slopes and hillsides. - Resistant to dog urine
Microclover is resistant to dog urine and will recover faster from damage. - Attract bees
Last but not least, Microclover flowers are a great food source for bees. They will be attracted to your lawn.
Drawbacks of growing Microclover
Even though, Microclover seems the best clover out there, there are some drawbacks worth knowing before jumping to a conclusion.
- Expensive
Microclover is more expensive than most other common grasses. And it may be hard to find in some areas. - Not the most drought-tolerant or heat-resistant ground cover
Even though Microclover (Miniclover) claims that they are drought tolerant, it is not on the same level as some other grasses like Kurapia. This will be a problem especially if you plan to grow them in southern states. - Not shade resistant
Microclover requires full sun to thrive. It is not suitable for areas with full shade. - Herbicides
Most broadleaf herbicides that are made to use on tall-fescue grass will kill Microclover. - Southern blight disease
Microclover is susceptible to this disease when there is high humidity and high nighttime temperatures. The damage can be significant on a clover-only lawn. - Can die back in colder winters
The top growth of Microclover can die back in harsh winters, which can leave bare spots on the lawn. - Clover lawns can become muddy in winter
100% Clover or Miniclover lawns tend to become too wet and muddy in winter. To avoid this, plant clover with grass.
What should I choose? Microclover or white clover?
The answer is simple. If you want something that is easier to maintain, compact, and drought tolerant choose Microclover. However, remember that Microclover is more expensive than white clover. And you will need to buy seeds again and again for consistent growth of the lawn.
If you want a cheaper alternative, definitely go with white clover. This one also has one big drawback. White clover is considered invasive in the United States. This plant spreads rapidly and grows in clumps making it hard to get rid of. Consider this if you plan to grow white clover with grass.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does mini clover stay green in winter?
It stays mostly green in winter. It will however die back in harsh winters.
Is Microclover considered invasive?
No. Microclover is not considered invasive. However, its parent white clover is considered invasive in the United States.
Does Microclover get rid of weeds?
Lawns planted with Microclover have fewer weeds when compared to grass-only lawns. Microclover fills up the gaps and limits the space available for weeds to grow.
Can you walk on Microclover lawn?
Microclover lawns can handle mild foot traffic. It is soft and cool to the feet. This is not suitable for heavy foot traffic since it can damage the plants.
Does Microclover need reseeding?
Yes. Microclover requires reseeding in early spring. You will need 1/2 to 1 pound of seeds when reseeding an existing lawn.
Last update on 2024-05-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
