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Red clover (Trifolium pratense) is one of the prettiest “weeds” you’ll find on the side of the road. With it’s quintessential 3-lobed leaves and its globular dark pink flowers it is easy to identify and a great addition to any toddler’s bouquet.
Originally from Europe and Asia, red clover was first introduced to North America in the 1600s. It is considered invasive in some regions of the United States, but for the most part red clover is a naturalized species with plenty of animals that like to chomp on its tender leaves (I’m looking at you bunnies). Today, red clover is considered the premier legume hay crop and is often grown with orchard grass and timothy.
All of that being said, red clover is also edible for people and I grow it in my container garden.
Both the leaves and flowers are edible, but I primarily harvest the flowers. Fresh, they taste like a slightly earthier sugar snap pea. Dry, they make a great addition to any tea and are considered a well known medicinal herb.
Red clover flowers are known for:
- Being high in vitamins and minerals
- Blood and lymphatic cleansing properties
- Detoxification properties
- Treating childhood respiratory illness
- Treatment of menopausal symptoms
- Benefits to skincare
- Potential anti-cancer properties
Word to the wise, red clover should probably not be taken by those on blood thinners or those breastfeeding/pregnant due to its potential blood thinning properties and how it presents similar to estrogen once ingested. As always, please do your own research before taking any herbal remedy or medicine.
In addition to the medicinal benefits red clover also:
- Attracts pollinators
- Fixes nitrogen to the soil
So, that’s why you should add red clover to your home tea garden. Keep reading to learn how.
How to Grow Red Clover
I grow my red clover in containers but you can also grow it directly in the ground. It is most commonly planted from seed and it will become a full grown productive plant in just one season. It is considered a short-term perennial plant which means it will live for multiple years, but normally no more than 5.
Benefits to growing it in containers include:
- You can grow it anywhere, including inside!
- You can control moisture
- It won’t take over your garden – the branches of these plants really like to spread out when given the chance.
- You know that, unlike most roadside red clover, your plant is pesticide free and safe to eat
How to Grow in Containers:
- Sun: Red clover thrives in full sun.
- Moisture: This plant prefers moderate moisture. The leaves will obviously curl when the plant needs a drink but will perk right back up after a deep water.
- Soil: Red clover prefers well draining soil but can also do well in a standard potting mix. I grow mine in a standard potting mix.
- Container Size: I’m currently growing my red clover in a 8-inch container, but you can grow it in larger containers. I’ve grown mine in a 14-inch pot in the past and the plant was huge and very productive! You should limit one plant per any container 10 inches or under.
- Planting/Propagating: This plant is most often planted via seed. The seeds can be easily harvested from wild plants along the side of the road and planted in the fall or spring for spring germination.
- Yearly Maintenance: The aerial growth should be trimmed away after it dies off during the winter.
- Winterizing: This plant should survive most mild winters with no special winterizing. Many of the aerial growth will die after the first frost so this can be pruned for aesthetics.
- Pruning/Harvesting: Just pluck the flowers right off the stems! There are a few leaves right at the base of the flowers, but the leaves are also edible so I never bother separating them.
- Preserving: I like to dry my flowers in a basket but you can also use a dehydrator.
- Pests & Diseases: Powdery mildew is the ultimate enemy of container grown red clover.
Using Red Clover
The edible parts of red clover are the leaves and flowers.
Some of the most common uses for red clover include:
- Fresh salads
- Jelly
- Tea
- Lotion for irritated skin
- Tinctures
I think the absolute best way to use red clover is in a simple tea. It adds a slight floral flavor and can be added to any blend. One of my favorites is a Pink Tea that has many medicinal properties but also just tastes good both hot or iced.
Pink Tea
Steep 1 part red clover, 1 part spearmint and 1 part hibiscus in boiled water for 5-10 minutes.
I hope you all have enjoyed this post and I wish you luck and chaos in the garden!
Additional Resources
Online Resources:
- USDA Plant Database Profile – Red Clover
- NIH Health Information – Red Clover
- Penn State Extension – Management Of Red Clover As A Cover Crop
Books I love:
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