In economic terms, types of clover such as red clover (Trifolium pratense) and white clover (Trifolium repens) are particularly important in this country, as they enable up to four fodder harvests for livestock per year. If you want to bring the plants with the characteristically shaped leaves into your home, you should opt for other types of clover.
Which types of clover are suitable as houseplants?
The lucky clover (Oxalis tetraphylla) and the triangular lucky clover (Oxalis triangularis) are popular types of clover for the windowsill or as a balcony plant, while the black clover (Cytisus x racemosus) is ideal as an attractive harbinger of spring in the pot.
Properly care for the lucky clover in the house
The lucky clover of the subspecies Oxalis tetraphylla makes it easy to find a four-leaf clover at the turn of the year: In this popular New Year's Eve lucky charm, all the leaves have the coveted leaf shape, which only occurs as an anomaly in other types of clover. In order for the lucky clover, which is usually sold in pots, to have a long-term chance of survival, it should not be exposed to temperatures below zero for too long before or during New Year's Eve. Since the lucky clover is only grown shortly before the turn of the year, it usually does not go into hibernation. It should therefore be brought through the winter according to the following criteria:
- rather bright, for example on the windowsill
- poured sparingly
- with little to no fertilizer
The Triangular Lucky Clover
The triangular lucky clover (Oxalis triangularis) is also enjoying increasing popularity, its white-pink colored flowers in a gentle contrast to the green to purple colored leaves. This type of clover is particularly attractive because the triangular leaf wings always fold up a little towards evening. This clover can be grown indoors all year round, but it should not be exposed to direct midday heat. Window locations with morning or evening sun are therefore better. You can also put the triangular lucky clover in the pot in the garden in summer as soon as late frosts are no longer expected. The soil should never dry out completely, but it should also not be permanently moist due to the risk of waterlogging.
The goat's clover in the room and on the balcony
The goat's clover (Cytisus x racemosus) are popular signs of spring for the windowsill, but in a location that is too warm they drop their yellow flowers and leaves all too quickly. Locations with temperatures between 12 and 18 degrees Celsius are ideal for caring for this type of clover. The honeysuckle grown in a pot on the terrace can be overwintered indoors in a bright place if the winter quarters have a frost-free temperature of less than 10 degrees Celsius.
Tip
Clover is generally not very important as a houseplant. Some varieties of lucky clover and also goat's clover can enrich the windowsill or balcony.