Here’s Why TikTok’s “Clover Lawns” Are Gaining Popularity Among Homeowners

For decades, the American suburban landscape almost exclusively featured traditional grass lawns. Those green patches in front of houses never seemed to go out of style — until recently, that is. Grass lawns are undeniably high maintenance, which may partly explain why they’ve fallen out of favor in recent years. 

Among the grass-free, low-maintenance front lawns trending with homeowners these days, the “clover lawn” is currently taking TikTok by storm. Here’s why an increasing number of people are making the switch.

A clover lawn can either be a lawn with only clovers in it, or a combination of clover and the grass type that grows best in your region or climate. It’s a popular alternative to traditional lawns as they’re relatively low-maintenance. Clover lawns require much less water, fertilizer, and herbicides, says Jason Gelios, a real estate agent with Community Choice Realty.

Clover is a nitrogen-fixing plant, which means it can effectively fertilize itself. It also outcompetes other weeds, so you don’t need to rely on weed killers.

The types of clover most commonly used in lawns are the following:

• Dutch white clover
• Microclover
• Strawberry clover
• Red clover

“[Clover is] naturally resistant to many common lawn pests, such as grubs and chinch bugs,” says Gus Harding, founder and property expert at Harding Mortgages. “This means that you won’t have to use harmful pesticides in order to keep your clover lawn looking its best.”

Because clover lawns require fewer resources to maintain, you may end up saving time and money in the long run. You don’t even have to mow as often, and you can let the clover grow a bit longer between trimmings, says Harding.

In general, clover lawns are a great option for homeowners who want a beautiful lawn without much hassle, he adds.

Clover lawns are said to promote agricultural sustainability. But before growing one, you need to decide which type of clover you want to get.

White clover produces huge amounts of pollen and nectar, which attracts butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. With this type, your lawn will be helpful for their movement between gardens and other urban green spaces. However, white clover is less resistant to drought compared to strawberry clover.

Should you opt for white clover, refrain from growing a monoculture. A mixed clover-grass lawn tends to be more suitable for homes because it’s more tolerant of foot traffic. You can also mix different species of clover together to increase your lawn’s overall resilience.

As a result of the shorter lifespan of clover, you may have to reseed your lawn every two or three years, explains Gelios. However, some species of clover can also reseed themselves under certain conditions.

If you’re not sure which type of clover is ultimately the best for your lawn, try consulting someone at your local home and garden center for their expertise.

You’ll need to be patient when growing a clover lawn because it can take a while to fully establish itself. “Once it does, though, you’ll have a beautiful, low-maintenance lawn that you can enjoy for years to come,” Harding says.