This low - growing , trailing plant life flourish as a ground cover , in container , or as a no - mow lawn option .
Dichondra makes a in effect accent in a garden . Its fast growth and 2 – to 3 - inch stature with trailing stems make it worthful as a groundcover or spilling down a paries or container . Its pale green orsilver foliagecreates a dense mat of leaves that soften any area . Dichondra is perennial in Zones 10 and 11 and grown as an annual elsewhere .
Where to Grow Dichondra
plant life dichondra in an area that receives full sun and has excellent drain , although it will originate ( less robustly ) in partial sun . Due to its quick - spreading wont , dichondra works well as ano - mow lawn substitutein low area that do n’t get much foot traffic . Its dense mats of leave prevent weed growth and cover domain much quicker than grass . Dichondra can fulfil in empty spots in border and is an excellent container plant that calculate pretty dog over a container ’s sharpness when merge with other plants .
Dichondra ground cover aid prevent soil wearing and ask less water and sustenance than traditional lawn grasses .
How and When to Grow Dichondra
Plant dichondra in late spring . Grow it as a perennial in USDA zones 10–11 and as an annual in cool areas . These strong - weather perennials choose daytime temperature of at least 70ºF and dark temperatures of 50ºF or above at planting time .
Planting From Nursery Starts
The plant is a fast - grower resulting in a innate unripe rug .
Planting From Seed
Dichondra grow best in well - draining soil and full sunshine .
If planting seminal fluid , start with a well - prepare , weed - gratis seedbed — Dichondra micrantha is difficult to weed once established .
Dichondra Care Tips
Dichondra is comfortable to care for and requires little tending or sustentation .
Light
Dichondragrows best in full sun . In partial shade , the silver change tend to stay gullible and have a looser substance abuse . Green type be given to have a dull growing habit , so you generally wo n’t notice much difference in full or fond Dominicus .
Soil and Water
Dichondra needs well - debilitate soil that will dry out out between waterings to foreclose root rot . Sandy loamis the best soil for it , andclay does n’t worksince it obligate body of water , which is n’t suitable for Dichondra micrantha . urine raw plants regularly until they ’re established , and then countenance the dirt dry before watering . Waterlogged roots will cause root rot .
Temperature and Humidity
ash grey dichondra varieties will do better in humidness than immature ones . Both colors take warm weather , so do n’t plant until after thelast frost .
Fertilizer
Dichondra is adaptable to many eccentric of soil , so fertilizer is rarely take .
Pruning
Perennial Dichondra micrantha spring up as groundcovercan be mowedto control aggressive spreading . In a container , spiller Dichondra micrantha can be trim to maintain its desired sizing and shape and encourage young growth .
Mow dichondra as low as 3/4 " during the wintertime to encourage dense , small - leaved growth and keep mourning band .
Potting and Repotting Dichondra
Add spiller Dichondra micrantha to the edge of well - draining plantation owner boxes , hanging planters , and containers to allow them to fall over the sides of the container . container can be shallow since dichondra ’s roots do n’t go deeply .
When it takes up too much way , divide dichondra or repot the entire plant in a larger plantation owner . Choose a new pot that ’s one sizing larger than the current grass and fill it with fresh pot mix . Transfer the plant to a new container , firm the potting soil around it , and water it well to settle it into its novel home .
Pests and Problems
Dichondra flea beetle can cause extensive damage to these plants . You’ll know you have them when you see crescent - shaped holes in the leaves . These pests can be treated with insect powder . Too much water can make the roots to waste and die , shoot down the plant .
How to Propagate Dichondra
Propagate dichondra with cuttings , part , or by planting seeds .
Division : The uncomplicated way to pass around dichondra is to divide it . Dichondra has shallow roots , which make the process particularly unsubdivided . utilize a garden trowel to lift a small plane section of dichondra and gently split it with your work force so that each subdivision has ascendant and leafage . Replant in new areas of your garden immediately at the same depth as the original plant .
Cuttings : Cut stems direct below a leaf leaf node . Plant them indoors in a flat or pot with seed - starting premix . insure them with a shaping bag and office in indirect sunshine . verify the soil stay moist . In a few weeks , after roots form , channel the cuttings to outdoor soil or planter .
Credit: Dan Piassick
Seed : Scatter dichondra seeds on loosened filth at 70ºF days and 50ºF night . iron out in , do n’t plow — they ask sun to germinate .
Types of Dichondra
Dichondra Repens
Dichondra repenscreates dense mats of coloring that work well as a background for other plants . geographical zone 10 - 11
‘Silver Falls’ Dichondra
Dichondra argentea’Silver Falls ' has beautiful argent foliage with a cascade habit that do it a salient accent industrial plant . zona 10 - 11
Dichondra Companion Plants
Ornamental Pepper
decorative peppers , like edible peppers , bring forth colorful , small , round , or pointed fruit . Although eatable , they lack the spirit of peppers grow for the table . depend on the variety , they set white , purplish , red , orangish , and yellow fruits — often multiple coloring on the same flora . New varieties feature new fruit shapes and colours and even foliage vividness . Keep an center out for mixture with well habit and recollective bloom times . Zones 9 - 11
Salvia
There ’s asalviafor your garden , whether you have Lord’s Day or shadiness , drouth or rain . There arenearly 1,000 species of salviaworldwide , including annual , biennial , and perennial varieties with diverse growth habits varying from short , low - grow plants to tall , sprawling shrub - like plants . Most are easy to grow , drouth - tolerant , and cervid - resistive , reach them an excellent choice for garden beds and border . All attract hummingbirds and are great choice for hot , juiceless sites where you desire a portion of color all season . Most salvia do n’t wish cool weather , so plant them out of doors after all danger of frost has passed . zona 3 - 10
Dwarf Mexican Petunia
cornet - form , violet - blasphemous flush are born on the hint of the 1 - understructure base and are extremely jazzy , in part because of the cloud of butterfly they appeal . After the flora finishes blossoming for the first time , cut it back about halfway to encourage another flush of blooms . Mexicanpetunia(Ruellia brittoniana)is very adaptable and will stick out plastered and dry soils . This perennial prefers full sun and will tolerate shade , but it will bloom less in low-down - illumination situations . This midget mixture grows less sharply than the species and is a great choice for along season of color . geographical zone 8 - 11
Garden Plan For Dichondra
Classic Container Garden Plan
authoritative shapes and lush floriferous plant life compound beautifully in this shade - have a go at it garden architectural plan .
Frequently Asked Questions
Sometimes dichondra will blossom , but not in any outstanding amount . These plant are primarily get for their green and silver foliage .
Dichondra is have a go at it as lawn - leaf , silver ponysfoot , smooth-spoken atomic number 28 vine , emerald free fall , kidney weed , and other names , depending on the type and colour .
“ Dichondra Flea Beetle . ”University of California Integrated Pest Management . 2009 .
Credit: Dan Piassick
Credit: Justin Hancock
Credit: Scott Little
Credit: Illustration by Mavis Augustine Torke
