Clovers & Legumes ·Growing Guide
Alsike Clover
Trifolium hybridum
Alsike CloverClovers & LegumesLow Maintenance
The wet soil clover. Alsike Clover thrives in poorly drained, acidic conditions that kill Red Clover and White Clover. It tolerates seasonal flooding, heavy clay, and soil pH as low as 5.5—expanding nitrogen fixation into sites too challenging for other clovers. Its distinctive pink-and-white bicolor flower heads are a familiar sight a...
Shop Wicked Tuff Turf →Overview
About Alsike Clover
Alsike Clover (Trifolium hybridum) fills the ecological niche between Red and White Clover. It's taller than White Clover (12-24 inches), shorter than Red Clover (18-30 inches), and tolerates wetter, more acidic soils than either. Named after Alsike, Sweden, where it was first cultivated, it's been a staple of northern hay and pasture mixes for over a century.
Alsike's superpower is wet and acidic soil tolerance. Where Red Clover rots from crown disease in waterlogged conditions and White Clover thins in strongly acidic soils, Alsike persists and fixes nitrogen. This makes it invaluable for low-lying hay fields, pond edges, drainage swales, and other challenging wet sites.
Caution: Alsike Clover can cause photosensitivity (alsike clover poisoning) in horses when consumed in large quantities over extended periods. It's generally safe for cattle and sheep but should not be a dominant component of horse pastures.
Alsike's superpower is wet and acidic soil tolerance. Where Red Clover rots from crown disease in waterlogged conditions and White Clover thins in strongly acidic soils, Alsike persists and fixes nitrogen. This makes it invaluable for low-lying hay fields, pond edges, drainage swales, and other challenging wet sites.
Caution: Alsike Clover can cause photosensitivity (alsike clover poisoning) in horses when consumed in large quantities over extended periods. It's generally safe for cattle and sheep but should not be a dominant component of horse pastures.
Fit
Where It Shines
Best for
- Wet, poorly drained hay fields and pastures
- Acidic soils (pH 5.5-6.0) where other clovers fail
- Low-lying areas with seasonal flooding
- Mixed stands with timothy or reed canarygrass on wet sites
- Erosion control mixes for slopes (Hillside Stabilizer component)
- Northern climates (Zone 2-5) where cold hardiness matters
- Conservation plantings on challenging soils
Not ideal for
- Horse pastures (photosensitivity risk with heavy consumption)
- Dry or well-drained sites (better clovers available)
- Stand-alone hay (lower yield than Red Clover)
- Lawn integration (too tall)
- Long-term permanent stands (2-4 year lifespan)
- Sandy or droughty soils
From Seed to Stand
Establishment & Growth
Germination
Days 5-7: First seedlings emerge. Days 7-14: Trifoliate leaves appear. Moderate establishment speed. Resembles a medium-sized clover between White and Red in appearance.
Growth Habit
Short-lived perennial (2-4 years). Semi-upright, 12-24 inches. Neither stoloniferous nor strongly tap-rooted—intermediate growth form. Pink-white bicolor flower heads.
Establishment Timeline
First emergence: 5-7 days. First bloom: 60-80 days. Productive life: 2-4 years (slightly longer than Red Clover).
Rates & Care
Seeding & Maintenance
| Seeding rate (new) | 4-8 lbs per acre (pure stand); 2-4 lbs per acre (mixed with grass) |
|---|---|
| Overseeding rate | 3-5 lbs per acre |
| Soil temp to germinate | 45-50°F |
| Mowing height | Not typically mowed as turf; cut for hay at early bloom |
| Minimum mow height | 3 inches |
| First mow | At early bloom (12-18 inches) |
| Soil pH | 5.5-7.0 (tolerates more acidic conditions than Red or White Clover) |
| Soil preference | Wet, poorly drained, acidic soils. The premier clover for wet ground. Tolerates seasonal flooding and heavy clay. Performs where Red and White Clover fail. |
| Nitrogen needs | None required—fixes 75-150 lbs N per acre annually |
Conditions
Tolerances
SunFull sun to partial shade (4-8 hours)
ShadeModerate to Good (more shade-tolerant than Red Clover)
DroughtPoor to Moderate (prefers consistent moisture)
TrafficLow to Moderate
ColdExcellent (one of the most cold-hardy clovers)
HeatModerate
Hardiness Zones2-7
Step by Step
How to Sow
1
Step 1: Prep
Inoculate with Rhizobium; test pH (5.5+)
2
Step 2: Fertilize
Apply phosphorus based on soil test (no N)
3
Step 3: Sow
Broadcast or drill at 4-8 lbs/acre (2-4 with grass)
4
Step 4: Contact
Plant 1/4" deep; firm seedbed
5
Step 5: Water
Keep moist (thrives in moisture)
6
Step 6: Mow/Establish
Harvest at early bloom; 5-6 weeks between cuts
Feeding & Timing
Fertilizing & Season
Fertilizer Recommendation
No nitrogen needed. Phosphorus and potassium based on soil test. Wet, acidic soils often benefit from phosphorus application. Lime application should be conservative—Alsike tolerates acidity, and over-liming can shift competitive advantage to grasses. Recommended: Wicked Growth P-K formula based on soil test.
Find the right Wicked fertilizer →Seasonal Planting
Spring planting (April-May) most common. Frost seeding (February-March) effective on wet sites where freeze-thaw cycles are pronounced. Fall planting (August) works on sites with adequate moisture. Alsike's tolerance for wet spring conditions makes it ideal for sites that are too muddy for spring tillage—broadcast onto wet ground.
In Context
How It Compares
Alsike vs. Red Clover: Alsike handles wetter and more acidic soils; Red Clover is more productive on well-drained sites. Alsike vs. White Clover: Alsike is taller (hay-compatible) and handles more acidic conditions; White Clover is lower-growing and more persistent via stolons. Alsike vs. Ladino Clover: Alsike tolerates wet, acidic conditions; Ladino is more productive on good soils. Alsike vs. Balansa Clover: Both handle wet soils, but Alsike is perennial (2-4 years) while Balansa is annual.
Answers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Alsike clover and where does it grow best?
Alsike clover (Trifolium hybridum) is a short-lived perennial clover that thrives in wet, acidic, and cold conditions where other clovers fail. Native to Sweden, it is the most cold-hardy and wet-tolerant clover available, surviving in USDA zones 2-7. Alsike grows 12-30 inches tall and produces pink-to-white flowers. It is the go-to clover for poorly drained fields, stream banks, acidic soils (pH 5.0-6.5), and high-altitude or far-northern locations.
Can Alsike clover grow in wet and poorly drained soil?
Yes—Alsike clover tolerates wet, poorly drained, and seasonally flooded soils better than any other common clover. It survives conditions that kill red clover, white clover, and alfalfa. Alsike is commonly used in pasture mixes for low-lying fields, flood plains, and areas with high water tables. While it tolerates wet conditions, it does not tolerate standing water for extended periods (more than 2-3 weeks continuously).
What soil pH does Alsike clover tolerate?
Alsike clover tolerates soil pH as low as 5.0, making it the most acid-tolerant clover species. For comparison, red clover needs pH 6.0+, white clover needs pH 5.5+, and alfalfa needs pH 6.5+. This acid tolerance makes Alsike ideal for unlimed pastures, forest clearings, blueberry field borders, and naturally acidic soils in northern New England, the upper Midwest, and the Pacific Northwest.
How much nitrogen does Alsike clover fix?
Alsike clover fixes 50-150 lbs of nitrogen per acre annually, depending on stand density and growing conditions. It fixes slightly less nitrogen than red clover or alfalfa but fixes nitrogen in soil conditions (wet, acidic) where those species cannot survive. In mixed pastures with grasses, Alsike typically provides enough nitrogen to reduce fertilizer needs by 50-75%.
What is the seeding rate for Alsike clover?
Seed Alsike clover at 3-5 lbs per acre as a pure stand, or 1-2 lbs per acre when included in pasture mixes. For small areas, use approximately 0.1-0.2 lbs per 1,000 sq ft. Alsike has very small seed, so mix with a carrier (dry sand or fertilizer) for uniform distribution. Do not bury deeper than 0.25 inches. Inoculate with Rhizobium trifolii inoculant before planting.
Is Alsike clover safe for horses?
Alsike clover is associated with two conditions in horses: photosensitization (liver damage causing sunburn-like symptoms on pink-skinned areas) and big liver syndrome. These conditions occur when horses consume large quantities of Alsike clover over extended periods, particularly from pure stands. Small amounts mixed into diverse pastures are generally not problematic. However, if you manage horse pastures, it is safer to choose white clover, red clover, or birdsfoot trefoil instead.
How long does Alsike clover persist in a pasture?
Alsike clover is a short-lived perennial lasting 2-4 years under typical pasture conditions. It is less persistent than white clover but more tolerant of adverse soil conditions. Alsike can self-reseed if allowed to flower, extending stand life. In well-managed pastures with rotational grazing, Alsike stands often maintain themselves through a combination of plant persistence and self-reseeding for 4-6+ years.
