Description
⚠ AlsikeGrass is NOT suitable for horse pastures. Alsike clover (Trifolium hybridum) causes alsike clover poisoning (trifoliosis) in horses. Safe for cattle, sheep, bees and wildlife. Do not sow in any paddock or field accessible to horses.
AlsikeGrass is 100% Alsike Clover (Trifolium hybridum) — the only clover that establishes in wet, poorly drained and acidic soils (pH as low as 5.0) where every other clover fails. It tolerates spring flooding for up to 6 weeks, grows in heavy clay and muck, and produces pink-white blooms from June through September. Non-GMO. USA-grown. Zones 3–8.
AlsikeGrass Seed Specifications
| Species | Common Name | Type | Height | Bloom | Zone | Soil pH |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trifolium hybridum | Alsike Clover | Biennial / short-lived perennial | 24–48 inches | Pink-white, June–September | 3–8 | 5.0–7.0 (thrives below 6.0) |
Why AlsikeGrass — The Problem-Solver Clover
Most clovers have limits. White Dutch clover needs well-drained soil. Red clover needs pH above 6.0 and good drainage. Strawberry clover handles clay and wetness but still struggles in genuinely acidic conditions. Alsike clover was bred for a different task entirely: it grows where the others give up.
| Condition | White clover | Red clover | AlsikeGrass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waterlogged soil | Fails | Fails | Thrives |
| Spring flooding 6 weeks | Dies | Dies | Survives |
| pH 5.0–5.5 | Struggles | Fails | Thrives |
| Heavy clay | Poor | Moderate | Strong |
| Muck / peat soils | Fails | Fails | Establishes |
| Acidic, cool sites | Marginal | Marginal | Best adapted |
If your problem site has failed multiple attempts with white clover, if you have low-lying areas that flood each spring, acidic clay on a slope that drains poorly, or a soggy corner under established trees — AlsikeGrass is the correct product.
What AlsikeGrass Is — And What It Isn’t
Alsike clover reaches 24–48 inches and is not a mown lawn seed. It is a meadow and naturalising product for unmowed areas, low spots, streamside banks, orchard understory and problem ground that you want to convert to managed habitat. Like RedLeaf, it should be left to grow freely — one cut in autumn resets the stand.
The flowers are smaller than red clover, pink to white, carried on semi-erect branching stems. They are highly attractive to bumblebees and honeybees and produce some of the highest-quality honey of any clover species in North America.
Establishment Timeline
| Timeline | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Days 7–10 | Germination (moist, cool soil preferred) |
| Month 1–2 | Low rosette establishing root system |
| Month 2–3 | Upright stems developing, 12–18 inches |
| Year 1 (summer) | Light flowering possible; full root establishment |
| Year 2 (June) | Full bloom — dense, 24–48 inch pink-white display |
| Year 2 (Sept) | Seed set; one optional cut to reset the stand |
| Year 3+ | Self-sustaining through reseeding |
Planting Guide
When to plant
| Region | Spring window | Autumn window |
|---|---|---|
| Zones 3–5 | April–June (soil workable, 45°F+) | August–September (6 weeks before frost) |
| Zones 6–7 | March–May | September–October |
| Zone 8 | February–April | October–November |
How to sow
- Prepare surface: cut or mow existing vegetation to 2 inches. Scratch or scarify the surface — alsike needs soil contact.
- Sow rate: per 1,000 sq ft for a pure stand; ⅛ lb per 1,000 sq ft when interseeding into thin existing grass.
- Sow depth: surface to ¼ inch maximum. Firm seed in — do not bury deeply.
- Do not lime before sowing — AlsikeGrass is chosen specifically for acidic sites. Do not raise pH before seeding.
- Do not fertilise with nitrogen — alsike fixes its own through Rhizobium root nodules.
- First season: do not mow. Allow full establishment through the rosette phase.
Soil & Climate Notes
| Factor | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Sun | Full sun; does not tolerate shade |
| Soil pH | 5.0–7.0 (optimal 5.5–6.5; specifically chosen for acidic sites) |
| Drainage | Prefers wet, poorly drained; tolerates flooding up to 6 weeks |
| Soil texture | Clay, silty clay loam, muck, peat — outperforms all other clovers |
| Drought | Not drought tolerant — requires consistent moisture |
| Zones | 3–8 perennial; acts as annual in zones 6–7 on very wet sites |
| Winter hardiness | Excellent — survives severe winters in zones 3–4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it called alsike clover?
Named after the village of Alsike in central Sweden, where it was first documented and cultivated. It was introduced to North America around 1840 and has been used in northern agriculture ever since for wet, marginal land.
Is it safe for dogs?
AlsikeGrass does not appear on ASPCA toxic plant lists for dogs or cats. The documented toxicity concern is specifically for horses. That said, we recommend keeping all livestock away from dense alsike plantings and monitoring any animals that graze it in quantity.
Can I mix it with grass seed?
Yes — alsike traditionally performs best in a grass-legume mix. For wet, acidic sites, a mix of AlsikeGrass with hard fescue or reed canarygrass (which also tolerates wet, acidic conditions) works well. Aim for approximately 25–30% alsike by weight in the mix.
Will it reseed and persist?
Yes. Alsike self-seeds reliably in cool, moist conditions. On wet sites where it is well-adapted, it can persist indefinitely through reseeding. One autumn cut after seed set annually keeps the stand productive.
