Subterranean clover

Trifolium subterraneum

Self-regenerating annual clover with the unusual habit of pushing its own seed underground after flowering. The backbone of southern Australian dryland pasture.

Hardiness ratings

Subterranean clover hardiness across the four zone systems
SystemRatingTemperature rangeHow to read it
USDA hardiness zone Zone 7–10 −17.8 °C to 4.4 °C Zones where it can be grown as an annual — not a frost-tolerance rating
RHS hardiness rating H5 −15 °C to −10 °C Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance
Canadian plant hardiness zone Zone 7–9 −12 °C and warmer Zones where it can be grown as an annual — not a frost-tolerance rating
Australian (ANBG) zone Zone 3–6 −5 °C to 15 °C Zones where it can be grown as an annual — not a frost-tolerance rating

As a tender annual, Subterranean clover doesn't overwinter — the zone range shows where the growing season supports it. See the RHS rating for its actual cold tolerance.

Growing notes

  • Adapted to Mediterranean climates with dry summers — the seed self-burying behaviour protects it through summer drought
  • Naturalised across temperate Australia where it underpins the wool and lamb industries
  • Self-regenerates year on year without re-sowing

Categories

Related plants

Cross-check Subterranean clover against your zones

Reference

Subterranean clover on Wikipedia