It does not tolerate saline or highly alkaline soils. Primary Use White clover is the most important pasture legume in temperate region pastures. It is almost always planted in combination with grasses for beef, sheep, or horse pastures. Like other legumes, white clover improves the feeding value of a grass pasture. This is the result of its high voluntary intake, digestibility, and crude protein levels.
White clover is used widely in renovation of permanent pastures lacking legumes.
Ladino is also known as giant or Italian white clover, as it usually grows to a height of 8 to 12 inches compared to 4 to 6 inches for common white clover. New Zealand white clover contains a greater quantity of cyanogenetic glucoside than Ladino. Because this is an effective slug repellent, it is preferred in areas where slug damage is common. The glucoside is not present in sufficient quantity to affect most livestock, but it may cause photo sensitization in horses. Common white clovers are small, prostrate clovers with good winter hardiness, but they are not usually as productive as New Zealand or Ladino white clover.