Buffalo Clover
Trifolium reflexum
Last reviewed: August 2026
Buffalo Clover is a low growing forb that blooms from April through June with small pink and white flower heads. It favors part sun and medium moisture sites such as woodland edges, glades, and old fields, and draws bees and butterflies.
Toxicity unknown
Buffalo Clover (Trifolium reflexum) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
part sun
Water
medium
Size
12"–24" H × 12"–24" W
Bloom
Apr, May, Jun
Native to
AL, AR, FL, GA and 21 more states
Pollinators
bees, butterflies
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
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Buffalo clover is a native perennial that forms compact clumps with distinctive three-leaflet foliage. It produces small white to pink flower clusters in spring and early summer, creating a neat groundcover appearance.
Growing Buffalo Clover
Grow Buffalo Clover in part sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 12 to 24 inches tall and spread 12 to 24 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Buffalo Clover takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- Clover species often perceived as weedy by HOAs
- May spread beyond intended areas
- Can look sparse or patchy during establishment
Wildlife value
The flowers attract native bees and butterflies during its April through June bloom period. As a legume, it also helps fix nitrogen in the soil naturally.
Common questions
- When does Buffalo Clover bloom?
- Buffalo Clover typically flowers from April through June, producing small rounded clusters of pink and white blossoms on low stems.
- How much light does Buffalo Clover need?
- This clover does best in part sun, such as along woodland margins, glades, or clearings where it gets filtered or partial daylight rather than deep shade or full open exposure.
- How much water does Buffalo Clover need?
- Buffalo Clover grows best in medium moisture soils and struggles in either very dry sites or areas with standing water.
- What pollinators visit Buffalo Clover?
- Bees and butterflies are the main visitors, feeding on the nectar of its small pink and white flower clusters.
- Is Buffalo Clover HOA-friendly?
- Buffalo Clover takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Buffalo Clover? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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