Emily ParkerBy Emily Parker

Updated November 2026

To get rid of purple clover in lawn areas, you need to make the grass stronger than the clover, not just kill the clover on contact. Purple clover (often a red or crimson clover species that has drifted in from a seed mix or a neighbor’s yard) tolerates thin, low-nitrogen soil and frequent close mowing. Change those conditions and it fades on its own, usually within one or two growing seasons.

Step 1: Identify the Clover You Actually Have

Purple clover is usually a bit taller and more upright than white clover, with flower heads that are pinkish-purple and tubular rather than round white puffs. Its leaves often carry a pale chevron or V-shaped marking. If you are unsure whether you have purple clover or a lookalike weed, check the leaves, flowers and growth habit before you treat anything. Our guide to Lawn Weed Looks Like Clover: How to Identify and Remove It (2026) covers the common lookalikes.

Shopping for one? See our guide: 7 Best Way to Get Rid of Clover in Lawns: Best Weed Killers Compared (2026).

Step 2: Test and Correct Your Soil

Clover thrives where soil nitrogen is low, because it fixes nitrogen from the air through its roots. Grass, on the other hand, needs nitrogen to grow dense. A simple soil test through your local cooperative extension office will show pH and nutrient levels. Most lawn grasses prefer a pH between about 6.0 and 7.0. Lime if the soil is acidic, and feed the lawn with a slow-release organic fertilizer so the grass outgrows the clover.

Step 3: Adjust Your Mowing Routine

Purple clover handles frequent, low mowing better than most turf grasses. Raise your mower deck to 3 to 3.5 inches for cool-season grass, and mow often enough that you never remove more than one-third of the blade length at a time. Taller grass shades the clover’s crown and slows its spread. Keep blades sharp so the grass heals cleanly.

Step 4: Hand-Pull Patches and Overseed Bare Spots

For small infestations, pull the plants after a rain, when the soil is soft enough that you can get the taproot out. Pulling at this stage keeps seed from setting. Then fill the gaps with grass seed suited to your region, such as tall fescue or a perennial ryegrass blend. Water lightly every day until the new grass is established, usually about two to three weeks.

Step 5: Use Organic Weed Control Only Where Needed

If clover still dominates a section, a targeted organic approach works better than a broad spray. Corn gluten meal can suppress some seedlings but will also stunt new grass, so apply it only before you overseed, not after. Spot-treating with a vinegar-based or fatty-acid herbicide works on young clover, though it may need repeat applications and can burn surrounding grass. Always spot-treat on calm, dry days and keep sprays away from flowering plants where bees forage.

Step 6: Keep the Lawn Thick Through the Season

Once you have reclaimed the area, keep it that way. Water deeply but infrequently, aim for about one inch per week including rainfall, and aerate compacted soil in early fall. A dense turf leaves no open ground for clover to reseed into. If you later decide you want clover back for pollinators, Microclover Before and After Clover Lawn: What Changes and How to Get There explains how to plan that transition on purpose.

  • Soil test kit: A basic pH and nutrient kit tells you whether lime or fertilizer is the right fix before you spend effort on the wrong one. View on Amazon
  • Weed puller with a long tap-root tool: Clover’s taproot often snaps if you yank it, so a forked or long-handled puller gets more of the root out in one pass. View on Amazon
  • Slow-release organic lawn fertilizer: Feeds grass steadily without the nitrogen spikes that encourage fast top growth and weak roots. View on Amazon

Common mistakes

  • Mowing too short, which favors clover over grass.
  • Pulling clover without filling the bare spots, so new weeds move in.
  • Applying corn gluten meal right before or after seeding grass, which blocks the new seed.
  • Spraying herbicide on blooming clover, which can harm foraging bees.
  • Expecting results in a single week. Clover reduction usually takes a full season.

FAQ

Does purple clover mean my lawn is unhealthy?

Not necessarily. It usually signals low nitrogen or thin turf rather than a serious problem. Improving feeding and mowing habits typically resolves it.

Will purple clover come back after I remove it?

It can, because seeds stay in the soil for years. Keeping the lawn dense and mowing at the right height prevents most reseeding.

Is it safe to leave some purple clover for bees?

Yes, if you have no pesticide use nearby. Many gardeners keep a small clover patch on purpose as a bee food source while managing the rest of the lawn.

Conclusion

To get rid of purple clover in lawn areas, combine a soil test, higher mowing, hand-pulling and overseeding, with organic spot treatments only where needed. Thick, well-fed grass will crowd out clover over one or two seasons. Keep spraying minimal and timed away from bee activity, and your lawn will stay healthy and bee-safe.

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Emily Parker

About Emily Parker

Emily Parker is part of our editorial team and reviews and edits our pollinator-safe lawn care guides, checking product details against manufacturer specifications and owner feedback.