Clovers & Legumes ·Growing Guide
Ladino Clover
Trifolium repens var. latum (Ladino type)
Ladino CloverClovers & LegumesLow Maintenance
The giant White Clover—Ladino is the large-type variety of Trifolium repens, growing 8-14 inches tall with leaves and flower heads 2-3 times the size of common Dutch White Clover. It fixes more nitrogen (100-200 lbs N per acre), produces significantly more forage, and provides higher protein content for livestock. Ladino is the preferr...
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About Ladino Clover
Ladino Clover is genetically the same species as White Clover (Trifolium repens) but selected for larger size, higher yield, and greater forage production. Where Dutch White Clover stays under 4 inches for lawn integration, Ladino grows 8-14 inches tall and produces substantially more biomass.
Ladino's advantages over Dutch White: higher nitrogen fixation (100-200 lbs N/acre vs. 50-150 for Dutch), more forage production per acre, higher crude protein content (22-28%), and better wildlife attraction. The tradeoff: Ladino is less persistent than Dutch White, slightly less cold-hardy, requires more fertile soil, and is too tall for standard lawn integration.
Ladino Clover is the primary clover in wildlife food plot mixes because deer, turkeys, and rabbits preferentially graze it over other forages. Its high protein content and palatability make it the top-choice legume for wildlife managers across the northeast.
Ladino's advantages over Dutch White: higher nitrogen fixation (100-200 lbs N/acre vs. 50-150 for Dutch), more forage production per acre, higher crude protein content (22-28%), and better wildlife attraction. The tradeoff: Ladino is less persistent than Dutch White, slightly less cold-hardy, requires more fertile soil, and is too tall for standard lawn integration.
Ladino Clover is the primary clover in wildlife food plot mixes because deer, turkeys, and rabbits preferentially graze it over other forages. Its high protein content and palatability make it the top-choice legume for wildlife managers across the northeast.
Fit
Where It Shines
Best for
- Dairy and livestock pasture improvement
- Wildlife food plots (deer, turkey, rabbit)
- High-protein forage production
- Mixed stands with orchardgrass or bromegrass
- Nitrogen fixation for companion grasses
- Pollinator habitat (large flower heads attract bees)
- Cover cropping for soil nitrogen building
Not ideal for
- Lawn integration (too tall—use Dutch White Clover)
- Poor or sandy soils (requires fertile conditions)
- Extremely cold climates (Zone 3 and colder—Dutch White is hardier)
- Continuous close grazing without rotation
- Dry sites without irrigation or reliable rainfall
- Stand-alone hay (too low-growing for efficient hay harvest)
From Seed to Stand
Establishment & Growth
Germination
Days 7-10: First seedlings emerge. Days 10-14: Trifoliate leaves appear—noticeably larger than Dutch White Clover. Days 21-35: Stolons begin spreading. Ladino establishes at the same rate as White Clover but fills space faster due to larger plant size.
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous perennial. Same spreading habit as White Clover but taller (8-14 inches) with larger leaves and flower heads. Higher yielding for forage.
Establishment Timeline
First emergence: 7-10 days. Stolon spreading: 3-6 weeks. Productive forage: 60-90 days. Fully established: 6-12 months.
Rates & Care
Seeding & Maintenance
| Seeding rate (new) | 2-4 lbs per acre (mixed with grass); 3-5 lbs per acre (pure stand); 0.1-0.2 lbs per 1,000 sq ft |
|---|---|
| Overseeding rate | 2-3 lbs per acre |
| Soil temp to germinate | 50°F |
| Mowing height | 4-6 inches for forage; 3-4 inches in lawn/pasture settings |
| Minimum mow height | 3 inches |
| First mow | When plants reach 8-10 inches for forage cutting |
| Soil pH | 6.0-7.0 |
| Soil preference | Fertile, moist loam to clay loam. Requires better soil conditions than Dutch White Clover. Not suited to poor or sandy soils. |
| Nitrogen needs | None required—fixes 100-200 lbs N per acre annually (more than Dutch White due to larger plant mass) |
Conditions
Tolerances
SunFull sun to light shade (5-8 hours)
ShadeModerate
DroughtModerate (goes dormant, recovers when moisture returns)
TrafficModerate
ColdGood (slightly less cold-hardy than Dutch White Clover)
HeatModerate
Hardiness Zones4-8
Step by Step
How to Sow
1
Step 1: Prep
Inoculate with Rhizobium; test pH (6.0-7.0)
2
Step 2: Fertilize
Apply P and K based on soil test (no N)
3
Step 3: Sow
Broadcast or drill at 2-4 lbs/acre (with grass)
4
Step 4: Contact
Plant 1/4" deep max; firm seedbed
5
Step 5: Water
Keep moist during germination
6
Step 6: Mow/Establish
Graze when 4-6" tall and well-rooted
Feeding & Timing
Fertilizing & Season
Fertilizer Recommendation
Do NOT apply nitrogen. Apply phosphorus and potassium based on soil test. Ladino has higher P and K demands than Dutch White due to greater biomass production. Recommended: Wicked Growth P-K formula based on soil test results.
Find the right Wicked fertilizer →Seasonal Planting
Best planted in early spring (April-May) or late summer (August). Frost seeding (February-March) effective for adding to existing pastures. Ladino is slightly less cold-tolerant than Dutch White, so spring planting gives the longest establishment period before winter in northern zones.
In Context
How It Compares
Ladino vs. Dutch White Clover: Same species, different size. Ladino is taller (8-14 inches vs. 2-4 inches), higher yielding, and fixes more nitrogen, but is less persistent and less cold-hardy. Dutch White is for lawns; Ladino is for pasture and food plots. Ladino vs. Red Clover: Ladino is stoloniferous and persistent (perennial); Red Clover is upright and short-lived (2-3 years). Red Clover produces more hay-type biomass; Ladino produces more grazing-type forage. Ladino vs. Alsike Clover: Ladino is more productive on good soils; Alsike tolerates wetter, more acidic conditions.
Answers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ladino clover and how is it different from white clover?
Ladino clover is a giant variety of white clover (Trifolium repens) that grows 2-3 times larger than Dutch white clover. Ladino produces taller stems (8-14 inches), larger leaves, and more biomass, making it the preferred clover for forage, food plots, and hay production. While Dutch white clover is better for lawns due to its low growth, Ladino is better for pastures, deer plots, and cover crop applications where maximum nitrogen fixation and forage yield are the goals.
How much forage does Ladino clover produce per acre?
Ladino clover produces 2-4 tons of dry matter per acre annually under good management—significantly more than Dutch white clover. As a forage, Ladino clover contains 20-25% crude protein, making it one of the highest-protein forages available. In mixed pastures with grasses, Ladino typically contributes 30-40% of total forage yield while providing nitrogen fixation that sustains the companion grasses.
What is the seeding rate for Ladino clover?
Seed Ladino clover at 2-4 lbs per acre as a pure stand, or 1-2 lbs per acre when mixed with grasses. Ladino seed is slightly larger than Dutch white clover seed but still very small. For food plots, use 4-6 lbs per acre for dense stands. Always inoculate with Rhizobium inoculant specific to white clover before planting. Seed should be broadcast on a firm seedbed and lightly rolled or cultipacked—do not bury deeper than 0.25 inches.
Is Ladino clover good for deer food plots?
Ladino clover is one of the top food plot species for whitetail deer. Its high protein content (20-25%), palatability, and extended growing season (April-November in most zones) make it a preferred forage. Deer selectively graze Ladino over most other food plot plantings. A well-managed Ladino stand can last 3-5 years before requiring renovation, providing multi-year food plot value from a single planting.
Can Ladino clover cause bloat in cattle?
Yes. Ladino clover can cause frothy bloat in cattle and sheep when grazed as a pure stand, particularly on lush spring growth. To reduce bloat risk, always plant Ladino in a mix with grasses so the stand is never more than 50% clover. Introducing livestock to clover-heavy pastures gradually, avoiding grazing wet clover, and providing dry hay before turnout also reduce risk. Ladino does not cause bloat in horses, goats, or deer.
How long does Ladino clover persist?
Ladino clover is a perennial that persists 3-5 years under proper management. It spreads via stolons and can maintain itself indefinitely if allowed to periodically flower and set seed. Stands decline when overgazed (grazed below 3 inches), over-fertilized with nitrogen (which favors grasses), or stressed by summer heat and drought. Rotational grazing with 21-28 day rest periods maximizes stand persistence.
What soil conditions does Ladino clover need?
Ladino clover requires well-drained soil with pH 6.0-7.0 and moderate to good fertility. It does not tolerate waterlogged conditions or highly acidic soils (below 5.5 pH). Ladino is more demanding than red or alsike clover regarding soil quality—it performs best on loam soils with good moisture retention. Apply lime if soil pH is below 6.0 and ensure adequate phosphorus and potassium levels before planting.
