This low-growing, trailing plant thrives as a groundcover, in containers, or as a no-mow lawn alternative.
Dichondra makes a good accent in a garden.
Its pale green orsilver foliagecreates a dense mat of leaves that soften any area.
Credit: Dan Piassick
Dichondra is perennial in Zones 10 and 11 and grown as an annual elsewhere.
Its dense mats of leaves prevent weed growth and cover areas much quicker than grass.
Dichondra ground cover helps prevent soil erosion and needs less water and maintenance than traditional lawn grasses.
Credit: Dan Piassick
How and When to Grow Dichondra
Plant dichondra in late spring.
Grow it as a perennial in USDA zones 1011 and as an annual in cooler areas.
Planting From Nursery Starts
The plant is a fast-grower resulting in a natural green carpet.
Credit: Justin Hancock
Planting From Seed
Dichondra grows best in well-draining soil and full sun.
If planting seed, start with a well-prepared, weed-free seedbeddichondra is difficult to weed once established.
Dichondra Care Tips
Dichondra is easy to care for and requires little attention or maintenance.
Credit: Scott Little
Light
Dichondragrows best in full sun.
In partial shade, the silver varieties tend to stay greener and have a looser habit.
Water new plants regularly until they’re established, and then let the soil dry before watering.
Waterlogged roots will cause root rot.
Temperature and Humidity
Silver dichondra varieties will do better in humidity than green ones.
Both colors need warm weather, so don’t plant until after thelast frost.
Credit: Illustration by Mavis Augustine Torke
Fertilizer
Dichondra is adaptable to many types of soil, so fertilizer is rarely needed.
Pruning
Perennial dichondra grown as groundcovercan be mowedto control aggressive spreading.
Mow dichondra as low as 3/4" during the winter to encourage dense, small-leaved growth and prevent weeds.
Containers can be shallow since dichondra’s roots don’t go deep.
When it takes up too much room, divide dichondra or repot the entire plant in a larger planter.
These pests can be treated with insecticides.
Too much water can cause the roots to rot and die, killing the plants.
How to Propagate Dichondra
Propagate dichondra with cuttings, divisions, or by planting seeds.
Division: The simplest way to propagate dichondra is to divide it.
Dichondra has shallow roots, which makes the process particularly simple.
Replant in new areas of your garden immediately at the same depth as the original plant.
Cuttings:Cut stems directly below a leaf node.
Plant them indoors in a flat or pot with seed-starting mix.
Cover them with a plastic bag and place in indirect sunlight.
ensure the soil stays moist.
In a few weeks, after roots form, transfer the cuttings to outdoor soil or planters.
Seed:Scatter dichondra seeds on loosened soil at 70oF days and 50oF nights.
Press in, dont coverthey need sun to germinate.
Although edible, they lack the flavor of peppers grown for the table.
New varieties feature novel fruit shapes and colors and even foliage colors.
Keep an eye out for varieties with better habits and longer bloom times.
Most salvias don’t like cool weather, so plant them outdoors after all danger of frost has passed.
Mexicanpetunia(Ruellia brittoniana)is very adaptable and will tolerate wet and dry soils.
This perennial prefers full sun and will tolerate shade, but it will flower less in low-light situations.
This dwarf variety grows less aggressively than the species and is a great choice for along season of color.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sometimes dichondra will flower, but not in any great amount.
These plants are primarily grown for their green and silver foliage.
Dichondra Flea Beetle.University of California Integrated Pest Management.
