Ask an Expert: Clovers!

Kenneth Rosenthal, Manager of Reston’s The Walker Nature Center, answers kids’ questions about a common lucky charm, the four-leaf clover.

Photo by Kenneth Rosenthal.

How Do Four-Leaf Clovers Grow?

Have you ever found a four-leaf clover? Most clovers have three leaves, but sometimes, a special one grows with four! Let’s find out why that happens and where you can look for one.

What is a Clover?

Clovers are small plants that grow all over the world—there are about 300 different species! In Northern Virginia, the most common types are White Clover and Red Clover. These plants originally came from Europe and Asia, brought to North America long ago to feed farm animals. Today, they grow in yards, parks, and fields.

Why Do Some Clovers Have Four Leaves?

When you see a clover, you’re actually looking at a single leaf divided into smaller parts called leaflets. Most clovers have three leaflets, giving them their classic three-leaf look. But sometimes, a clover grows with four!

Scientists aren’t entirely sure why this happens. Some believe it’s due to genetics, similar to how people inherit different hair colors. Others think environmental factors, such as soil conditions or weather, might influence the growth of extra leaflets.

Why Are Four-Leaf Clovers So Rare?

Four-leaf clovers are uncommon—only about one in every 5,000 clovers has four leaves! Finding a five- or six-leaf clover is even harder. A five-leaf clover appears in only about one in 24,390 clovers, and a six-leaf clover is even rarer, with odds of about one in 312,500!

Where Can I Find a Four-Leaf Clover?

If you want to search for a four-leaf clover, check places where clovers grow, like your backyard, a park, or a school field. Clovers thrive in grassy areas with plenty of sunshine. Take your time and look carefully—you just might get lucky!

Do Four-Leaf Clovers Bring Good Luck?

For centuries, people have believed that four-leaf clovers bring good luck. Whether or not they truly do is up to you, but one thing is certain—finding one is an exciting surprise! However, from the clover plant’s perspective, picking a four-leaf clover is definitely bad luck for that particular plant.

Can I Grow My Own Four-Leaf Clover?

Clovers grow naturally in many places, so you might already have some in your yard! If you’d like to plant clover, be sure to ask for permission first, as clover spreads quickly and some people prefer not to have it in their lawns. Also, many clover plants sold in stores are not native to this area. Instead, planting native species helps local wildlife by providing food and shelter. Don’t worry—there will still be plenty of clovers for bunnies to nibble on and for you to search for a lucky four-leaf one!