How to Get Rid of Clover in Your Lawn
Clover thrives where nitrogen is low. Learn why clover appears, how to kill it with selective weed killer, and how feeding your lawn prevents it returning.
Diagnose the Problem
Clover is a low-growing perennial that spreads by creeping stems. It's a legume, meaning it makes its own nitrogen — so it thrives where grass is starved of nitrogen and can't compete.
Low nitrogen soil
The #1 cause. Clover doesn't need soil nitrogen, so it out-competes underfed grass. Feed the grass and clover loses its advantage.
Compacted soil
Clover tolerates compaction better than grass. Aerate to give grass the edge.
Dry, poor soil
Clover is drought-tolerant. In dry, poor soil it beats stressed grass every time.
The Solution
The long-term fix for clover is a healthy, well-fed lawn. For immediate control:
Feed with nitrogen
Apply a nitrogen-rich spring/summer fertiliser (e.g. 9-7-7). This is the single most effective long-term clover control — strong grass crowds it out.
Use a selective herbicide
For established clover, apply a selective weed killer containing dicamba or mecoprop (like Dicophar) in spring or early summer when clover is actively growing.
Aerate compacted areas
Relieve compaction with a fork or hollow-tine aerator so grass can compete on equal terms.
Mow higher
Raise your mowing height to 4–5cm. Taller grass shades the clover and weakens it.
Overseed after treatment
Once clover is controlled, overseed bare areas with grass seed to prevent clover re-establishing.
Use the Fertiliser Calculator
Calculate how much nitrogen-rich fertiliser you need to out-compete clover.
Recommended Products
Shop selective weed killers and nitrogen-rich lawn feeds to control clover and prevent it returning.
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