Sweet Clover Seeds (Melilotus Albus)

Sweet Clover / Melilotus Albus

The plant is a biennial and was introduced to the United States in the 1700s. It has been seen as a weed by some, but as a useful plant for forage, soil management and honeybee production by others. White sweet clover requires moist soils and cool temperatures for germination and is generally seeded from bulk clover seeds in early spring to accommodate these conditions.

White sweet clover is a low-growing form of clover which produces a white flower. The blooms are sweet smelling and a favorite of honey bees and give their honey a recognizable flavor. While technically a perennial, white sweet clover is not persistent and is used as a biennial and reseeded annually to provide consistent coverage. It does well in a variety of soils and has no pH preference. The average germination time is seven to 10 days for white sweet clover seeds.

Soil temperatures are an important component in clover seed germination. White sweet clover germinates at a minimum 41 degrees Fahrenheit but the best germination occurs when soils are 64 to 68 degrees. Combined with white clover's requirement for moist soil and cool ambient temperatures, spring is the optimum time for germination.