Overwintering guide
How to overwinter purple-leafed clover
Winter watering
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
The mistake that kills purple-leafed clover in winter
Cutting purple-leafed clover hard back in autumn "to tidy up". That removes the growth that shelters the crown, and on some plants removes next season's flower buds entirely.
More purple-leafed clover care
- Overwintering white clover — the species this cultivar belongs to
- Full purple-leafed clover care guide
- Purple-leafed Clover temperature range
- How often to water purple-leafed clover
- How to prune purple-leafed clover
- Common purple-leafed clover problems & fixes
- Best plant identifier apps — tested and ranked
Overwintering purple-leafed clover — FAQ
Does purple-leafed clover need to come indoors for winter?
Purple-leafed Clover is hardy to roughly USDA zone 3 — winter lows around -40°C. That means it can stay outside all winter in most temperate gardens. Purple-leafed Clover is properly hardy and overwinters outside without fuss. Tidy away anything dead or diseased, apply a mulch over the crown to steady soil temperatures, and otherwise leave it alone — many hardy plants actually need a cold period to flower and grow well the following year. Save hard pruning for the right season rather than doing it in autumn.
When should I move purple-leafed clover for winter?
Tidy and mulch in late autumn; leave the plant undisturbed until spring.
How often should I water purple-leafed clover in winter?
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
What kills purple-leafed clover over winter?
Cutting purple-leafed clover hard back in autumn "to tidy up". That removes the growth that shelters the crown, and on some plants removes next season's flower buds entirely.