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How to Find a Four Leaf Clover

I have found hundreds of four leaf clovers over the past ~12 years. It's a strange talent that I discovered by simply looking around the back yard in our old house. I've turned into a fun hobby and a side business, where I sell clovers preserved in resin. I will admit I always worry I might lose "the touch"! But I honestly think anybody can find a four leaf clover ... including you! It's starting to be Clover Season 2025 so.... get ready!

1. Start with the obvious: find a patch of clover, dense or sparse. I've found four leaf clovers in all types of patches. I tend to skip patches that are just too dense and the clovers are just too small to really be able to see without a magnifying glass.

2. Adopt a calm, focused mindset. Try to release tension that you're holding in your shoulders, neck, jaw and face. Try to put aside anything else you are thinking about at the moment. It can wait. Prepare your mind to just focus on looking at clovers and counting leaves.

3. Walk or crouch around. You can find clovers from the height of standing; you don't always have to be close to the ground. I'm sure I look weird to passers by because I'm kind of hunched over like I've lost my keys or something, but that's the look you're going for. I usually do a 'walk walk walk walk crouch.' This is because I'll get a good feeling about a patch and want to see it up close. Then I move my hand over the tops of the clovers, touching them to move them around a bit to get a better look. Do whatever works best for you!

4. Start with the stand-outs. It is easier and sometimes just as fruitful to start with the clovers that are sticking up above the others, or a special section of the patch where the clovers are taller or bigger. Don't ignore the clovers off by themselves either. If there is a four leaf clover in the bunch here it will stick out more easily than among the crowded part of the patch.

5. Scan and count "one, two three." This takes practice, but I try to look at each individual clover very quickly. It's like scanning text in a book, and still trying to understand what you're reading. Scan and count. When your brain notices something that doesn't fit the 'three' pattern, it has to be four or more! Then you'll want to take a closer look.

6. Beware the fakers. (Good advice in general.) Sometimes three-leaf clovers will try to trick you and be arranged such that it looks like a four leaf clover. They will overlap or be twisted in a similar manner to look like a lucky stem. Don't get too excited when you first count the 'four' until you crouch down and verify!

7. Verify and celebrate! When you've found what you think is a four leaf clover, use your fingers to make sure it's a single stem, up to the leaves and count them. If there are four leaves - or more - congratulations! You've done it!

8. Decide: Let it lie, or pick and preserve. You can certainly leave it where it lies and let somebody else come along and find it, or let a lawnmower get it, or let it go back to the earth. Don't forget to take a picture of it first!

9. If you pick and preserve it... here's some do's and don'ts.
  • Don't preserve it using tape.
  • Don't leave it just laying around. Pretty quickly it will shrivel and you'll barely recognize it.
  • Do put it between pages of a book as quickly as you can, or between pieces of glass or plastic.
  • Do keep it out of direct sun.
  • Do press it that it's in the shape you want it in forever. It's difficult to rearrange the leaves after they have dried and you risk breaking one off.
  • Do consider preserving your clover with resin. This is what I do. There are lots of tutorials online for how to do this. It looks so pretty in the clear resin, like a jewel, and you can make it into a pendant or key chain for yourself or as a gift.

10. Appreciate the journey and your efforts. You may or may not find a four leaf clover at the moment and that's ok. Maybe there wasn't even one where you were looking. They truly are rare and special. This should go without saying but simply looking for a clover doesn't make one appear; it has to be there to begin with! Be gentle on yourself and know that you did your best (also good advice for life and beyond) and tomorrow is another clover hunting day.



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