How to Control Clover in Your Lawn

If clover has started showing up in your lawn, the fix is usually simpler than it looks, but it does require the right approach.

The most effective way to control clover in your lawn is to combine:

• Fertilization to correct low nitrogen levels
• Selective herbicides to target clover weeds directly
• Lawn care improvements that support thicker, healthier grass

Clover is not just a random weed. It’s often a sign of a weak lawn, especially one with low nitrogen or thin turfgrass. When grass struggles, clover steps in and fills the gaps quickly.

The good news is that you have options. Whether you’re dealing with a small clover patch or a lawn-wide clover infestation, the right strategy can help you restore thicker grass, reduce weeds and improve long-term lawn health.

Think of it less as “getting rid of clover” and more as rebuilding a healthy lawn where clover can’t compete. 

Not all clover problems are created equal. The fastest way to control it really depends on how far it has spread and how long it has been there.

Small Patches

If you are only seeing clover in a few spots, you can usually get ahead of it pretty quickly with some targeted effort:

• Hand-pull clover plants, especially after rainfall when the soil is soft
• Remove as much of the clover roots as possible to prevent regrowth
• Apply a spot treatment weed killer for broadleaf weeds
• Add fertilizer to help surrounding grass fill in the space

Think of this as a quick cleanup. Once your grass fills back in, clover usually has a harder time returning to the same spot.

Widespread Clover

If clover has started to take over larger areas, it is less about quick fixes and more about resetting your lawn:

• Apply selective herbicides across affected areas
• Follow up with fertilization to support stronger grass growth
• Overseed to thicken your lawn and fill in thin areas

This approach takes a bit more time, but it tackles both the clover you see now and the conditions that allowed it to spread in the first place. 

If you want fast results, a selective herbicide is your quickest win. In most cases, you’ll start to see clover weeds fade within a few days as the treatment targets the clover plant without harming your lawn grass.

But here’s the part many people miss: getting rid of clover quickly is not the same as getting rid of it for good.

Clover thrives in lawns that are low in nitrogen or a bit thin. So even if you knock it back with a weed killer, those same conditions are still there, just waiting for clover to come back.

The real fix is a two-step approach:

• Use a selective herbicide to control clover right away
• Follow up with fertilizer and proper lawn care to support healthy grass growth

When your lawn is thick and well-fed, it naturally crowds out clover and other weeds before they have a chance to take hold again.

So yes, herbicides give you speed, but pairing them with stronger lawn health gives you lasting results. 

There are two main ways to tackle weeds like clover, and in most cases, the best results come from using a mix of both.

Think of it as a two-part strategy: remove what’s there, then make your lawn strong enough that clover can’t come back.

Natural Methods

Natural methods focus on helping your lawn outcompete clover over time.

Here’s how to approach it:

• Pull clover weeds by hand, making sure to remove the clover roots (easiest after rain)
• Apply fertilizer to boost nitrogen and support healthy grass growth
• Mow slightly higher to shade clover leaves
• Overseed with grass seed to thicken your lawn

These methods aren’t instant, but they are effective. As your lawn fills in, clover has fewer places to grow.

Herbicide Methods

If clover is more established, herbicides can help you regain control faster.

Look for:

• Post-emergent broadleaf herbicides designed for clover
• Products labeled for white clover, red clover or similar varieties

Basic steps:

• Identify where clover is most active
• Apply on a calm day
• Follow label instructions carefully
• Avoid mowing right before or after treatment

Herbicides work quickly, but they are only part of the solution.

Fertilizer does not kill clover directly. It strengthens your lawn so grass can crowd it out over time — which is what keeps clover from coming back. 

Removing clover is a great first step. Keeping it from coming back is what really matters.

The goal is simple: build a thick, healthy lawn that leaves no room for clover to return.

Focus on:

• Overseeding to fill in bare or thin areas
• Applying fertilizer to maintain proper nitrogen levels and support strong turfgrass
• Aerate to improve root growth
• Mowing at the right height for your grass
• Watering consistently to avoid stress

As your lawn fills in, it naturally crowds out weeds and blocks new growth from taking hold.

A thicker lawn does not just look better. It works harder, too.

And the best part? This is not about doing more. It is about doing the right things consistently, so clover never gets the chance to come back.