White Blossom Sweet Clover (Melilotus officinalis var. alba) is a hardy biennial known for its delicate white flower spikes and sweet fragrance. This versatile plant is prized for its high nectar yield, making it a top choice for beekeepers and pollinator gardens.
Besides being a powerful pollinator plant, this non-GMO sweetclover also helps improve soil structure and fertility due to its deep taproot and nitrogen-fixing ability. It thrives in well-drained soils and full sun, growing up to 4–6 feet tall and providing long-lasting blooms from early summer to fall.
White Blossom Sweet Clover is widely used in wildflower meadows, honey production, erosion control, and as a green manure crop — offering beauty and ecological benefits in one easy-to-grow plant.
Features
- Produces fragrant white flower spikes rich in nectar
- Non-GMO and ideal for bee forage and honey production
- Nitrogen-fixing cover crop that improves soil health
- Thrives in poor, dry, or compacted soils
- Drought-tolerant once established
- Great for erosion control, pasture, or pollinator gardens
Specifications
- Seed Type: Melilotus officinalis var. alba seeds
- Common Name: White Blossom Sweet Clover, Honey Clover
- Plant Type: Biennial Flowering Herb
- Plant Height: 4 – 6 feet
- Zones: USDA Zones 3–9
- Light Requirement: Full Sun
- Soil Type: Well-draining, sandy, loamy, or disturbed soils
- Germination Time: 10 – 20 days
- Days to Maturity: Blooms in second year
- GMO Status: Non-GMO
- Season: Spring or fall planting
- Planting Depth: 1/4 inch
- Spacing: 6 – 12 inches
- Optimal Temperature: 65°F to 75°F (18°C to 24°C)
- Watering: Low to moderate water needs
- Companion Plants: Alfalfa, Buckwheat, Crimson Clover
- Bloom Time: Early summer to early fall
- Pollinator Support: Excellent for bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects
- Soil Improvement: Nitrogen fixer, deep-rooted soil conditioner
- Uses: Pollinator gardens, erosion control, green manure, wildlife habitat
- Storage: Keep unused seeds in a cool, dry place
Planting Guide
- Direct Sow: Plant outdoors in early spring or fall.
- Seed Prep: Scarify seeds or soak for 24 hours to improve germination.
- Sowing: Broadcast or drill seeds at shallow depth; keep soil moist until established.
- Growth: Tolerates drought and poor soils; minimal care required.
- Maintenance: Can be mowed after flowering to control spread or plowed under as cover crop.