Dichondra

( dye - KON - druh )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of perennial ground-hugging plants spread by surface runners and need full sun to partial shade. They require regular waterings for best performance in the landscape, but are considered somewhat drought-tolerant once established. Dichondra, or Ponyfoot, is commonly used in hanging baskets or containers to combat its somewhat weedy, spreading tendency, but can also be used as a small-space groundcover or lawn replacement.

Dichondra Species and Varietals

The genus Dichondra is a member of the Morning Glory plant family Convolvulaceae and includes between 2 and 15 species. The genus name is derived from the Greek words 'dis' (meaning two) and 'chondros' (meaning grain), referring to the fruits produced after flowers fade. The best growing zones for Dichondra are USDA hardiness zones 7-11 or Sunset growing zones 8-10, 12-24, H1 and H2. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Dichondra argentea (Silver Falls, Silver Ponyfoot)
This species reaches up to 2-3 inches tall and 4-6 inches wide at maturity and makes a good small-scale groundcover. Leaves are heart-shaped and downy. Silver Ponyfoot grows well as a container plant where its mint-green leaves can spill over container walls or window boxes. This species is annual in cold-winter areas. 'Silver Falls' (pictured) is a popular ornamental cultivar.

Dichondra micrantha (Asian Ponyfoot, Lawnleaf, Kidney Weed, Smallflowered Ponysfoot)
This species has small, round leaves and reaches 6 inches tall. This species is considered to be pretty weedy and it is best grown in containers. Good for filling in between stepping stones. Seldom needs cutting or mowing. This species is considered invasive in California.

Caring for Dichondra

Plant Dichondra in a space in the landscape that receives full sun to partial shade; ideally, they appreciate between 6 and 8 hours of sun each day for the best overall dense growth. In warmer climates, provide these plants with afternoon shade when temperatures are at their peak (typically between 2 and 3 PM). Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 5.5 and 8.5 (acidic to slightly alkaline). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing.

Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, these plants are considered to be somewhat drought-tolerant, able to get by on rainwater alone for most of the year with supplemental waterings during extended periods of drought. For the best foliage and overall growth, provide with regular waterings. Pruning is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage at any time during the growing season. Dichondra doesn't require much pruning, but can be trimmed to maintain a neat, compact shape or mowed at a height of 2 inches when used as a lawn replacement. Plants in this genus are short-lived perennials, with an average lifespan of 3-5 years in the garden. When grown as a groundcover, these plants will creep and form colonies over time, providing new plants indefinitely.

Propagation

Dichondra plants can be propagated by cutting, seed, or division. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant, especially if you are propagating a hybrid cultivar. To propagate your Dichondra, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Dichondra by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a container, a pot or tray, potting medium, and a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Harvest your seeds. Dichondra seeds are present on plants inside of seed capsules after flowers have faded. Collect seeds and place them in a container during harvesting to avoid losing them.
Get your container prepared. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them lightly with soil and water with a spray bottle. Place the sown seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 2-4 weeks from sowing.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet. Keep your seedling in an area with bright light and temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when the seedling can be hardened off and then planted outdoors.

Propagating Dichondra by Cutting

Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. A good substrate for propagation of cuttings is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
In late summer or early fall, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that the plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances the cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6-8 inch softwood or semi-hardwood portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Plant it in your pot and fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. It should be kept in warm, sunny conditions in a protected area. Water whenever the soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, the cutting should be rooted. New growth indicates the formation of roots.
Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when the seedling can be hardened off and then planted outdoors.

Propagating Dichondra by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil, compost and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in very early spring (after the plant has entered dormancy, but before it has begun its new spring growth), and needs to be done every few years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance. To propagate by division, follow these steps:

Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the roots. Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
Start to tease apart the roots with your fingers. Once the roots are untangled, separate your plant into segments, ensuring that each one has at least one thick root section attached.
Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. You can either bring in new soil or simply amend your existing soil with compost to complete this task. Then, plant your divisions and water thoroughly.
Apply a thick layer of mulch over the new planting to protect it from cold weather as it acclimates to its new home. Then, enjoy watching it sprout in the next growing season.

Problems and Pests

Certain species of Dichondra are considered invasive in some areas. For more information, see the species descriptions above. Check with local authorities before planting. Dichondra plants can be susceptible to developing issues with the following pests and diseases in the garden: