Dichondra Growth and Care Guide
Dichondra is a versatile, low-growing plant prized for its trailing habit and distinctive foliage, most famously seen in silver-leaved varieties like Dichondra ‘Silver Falls’. It’s commonly used as a groundcover, spiller in containers, or accent plant where texture and movement are desired. Adaptable and heat tolerant, Dichondra performs well in full sun to partial shade and adds a clean, modern look to landscapes and mixed plantings.
This plant guide covers everything you need to know about growing Dichondra successfully. From light and soil requirements to watering, spacing, and common problems, it’s designed to help you get the best performance from this unique plant.
By: Reggie Meehan (01/05/2026)
Introduction to Dichondra (Kidney Weed)
Dichondra, often called Kidney Weed, is a versatile ground cover admired for its lush, trailing foliage and adaptability to various garden settings. Belonging to the Convolvulaceae family and native to tropical and subtropical regions, this low-growing genus is prized for its creeping growth habit. Whether as a vibrant green carpet of Dichondra Repens or the silvery elegance of Dichondra Silver Falls (Dichondra argentea), this plant offers a stunning, low-maintenance solution for lawns, borders, and cascading displays in containers. Its visual appeal and versatility make it a favorite among gardeners looking to add texture and color to their landscapes.
Highly adaptable, Dichondra thrives in sunny to partially shaded areas and requires minimal care, making it an excellent choice for both beginners and seasoned gardeners. Its fast-growing nature and dense foliage not only create an attractive ground cover but also suppress weeds effectively, reducing maintenance efforts. Whether used as a lawn alternative, to edge pathways, or to cascade gracefully from hanging baskets, Dichondra's ability to enhance garden aesthetics while serving practical purposes solidifies its place as a go-to plant for diverse landscaping needs.
I first planted Dichondra Silver Falls in a mixed container, and its cascading silver foliage grew to almost 6 feet in one season. It quickly became a highlight on front porch. Neighbors stopped to ask what it was, and I found myself recommending it constantly because of how effortlessly it performed. Its drought tolerance and minimal upkeep make it one of my favorite ground covers as well.
Characteristics of Dichondra
Dichondra is celebrated for its unique foliage, versatile growth habits, and low-maintenance nature, making it a popular choice for gardeners seeking functionality with visual appeal. Its dense, creeping growth pattern allows it to replace traditional lawns, edge pathways, or spill elegantly from containers and hanging baskets. With its adaptability to a range of garden settings, Dichondra serves as both a practical ground cover and a decorative element, suiting everything from modern minimalist designs to lush, cottage-style landscapes.
Size and Growth Habit
Dichondra is a low-growing plant, typically reaching a height of just 1–3 inches, making it an excellent alternative to traditional grass for lawns and pathways. Its spreading nature allows it to extend up to 3 feet wide, depending on the species and growing conditions. This vigorous yet controlled growth habit makes Dichondra an ideal choice for ground cover, as it creates a dense, weed-suppressing mat that requires minimal maintenance.
Its trailing stems are also perfect for cascading displays in containers and hanging baskets, where they can add texture and movement to garden designs. With proper care, Dichondra can quickly fill in bare spaces, creating a seamless and lush appearance.
Leaves and Flowers
The standout feature of Dichondra is its foliage, with small, kidney-shaped leaves that grow densely along creeping stems. The leaves form a carpet-like cover that is both visually appealing and soft underfoot, making it an excellent choice for ground covers and decorative borders. Varieties like Dichondra Silver Falls (Dichondra argentea) showcase shimmering silvery-gray foliage that adds a modern, elegant touch to gardens and containers, while Dichondra Repens boasts vibrant green leaves that bring a fresh, natural look to landscapes.
While its foliage is the main attraction, Dichondra also produces small, delicate flowers during the growing season. These blooms, which are white or greenish-yellow, are subtle and often go unnoticed, as they are overshadowed by the plant’s stunning foliage.
Is Dichondra Annual or Perennial?
Dichondra is a tender perennial in USDA Zone 8, but is perennial in Zones 8–11, thriving in warm, frost-free climates where it can grow year-round. In these zones, it is a reliable choice for ground covers and cascading displays, maintaining its vibrant foliage even through mild winters.
However, in cooler climates, Dichondra is treated as an annual due to its sensitivity to frost and freezing temperatures. Gardeners in these regions can replant it each spring or allow it to self-seed, as it often regenerates naturally in favorable conditions. For those looking to preserve the plant in colder zones, Dichondra can also be overwintered indoors in containers, ensuring its beauty returns the following season.
Best Varieties of Dichondra (Kidney Weed) TESTED
These Dichondra varieties are popular for their aesthetic appeal and garden performance:
Dichondra Silver Falls
This trailing variety is prized for its shimmering silver foliage and cascading habit, making it perfect for containers, hanging baskets, and ground cover.
Dichondra Emerald Falls
A striking green counterpart to Silver Falls, Emerald Falls is ideal for creating lush greenery in containers or as a dense ground cover.
How to Grow & Care for Dichondra
Dichondra is a fast-growing, low-maintenance plant known for its trailing habit and distinctive rounded foliage. It thrives in warm conditions, tolerates drought once established, and is commonly used as a ground cover or cascading accent in containers and hanging baskets.
Planting Dichondra
To achieve lush, healthy growth, start by planting Dichondra in the spring after the danger of frost has passed. Choose a location with well-draining soil and exposure to full sun or partial shade, depending on your climate. Space plants or sow seeds 6–12 inches apart to ensure quick and even coverage. For container planting, use a lightweight, well-draining potting mix to give the roots ample room to spread.
Sunlight Requirements
Dichondra thrives in full sun but also tolerates partial shade, especially in regions with intense heat. Providing at least 4–6 hours of sunlight daily encourages vigorous growth and ensures the foliage maintains its vibrant color. In areas with hot summers, partial shade during the afternoon can protect the plant from heat stress and scorching. Whether used as a ground cover, in containers, or as a lawn alternative, proper sunlight exposure is key to maintaining its visual appeal and health.
Soil Requirements
Dichondra grows best in well-draining soil with moderate fertility, requiring little more than basic soil preparation to thrive. While it doesn’t need rich soil, a neutral to slightly alkaline pH of 6.5–7.5 is ideal for optimal growth. Avoid planting in waterlogged or compacted soils, as poor drainage can lead to root rot. Sandy or loamy soils are ideal, but if planting in less-than-ideal soil, adding organic matter can improve aeration and drainage. By focusing on soil quality, gardeners can set Dichondra up for long-term success.
Watering Needs
Proper watering is crucial for establishing Dichondra, especially during the first few weeks after planting. Once the roots are established, the plant becomes highly drought-tolerant, requiring only occasional watering to maintain its lush foliage. Avoid overwatering, particularly for Dichondra Silver Falls, which prefers slightly dry conditions and can suffer in soggy soil. For container plants, allow the topsoil to dry out between waterings to prevent root issues. A consistent yet minimal watering routine will keep your Dichondra thriving.
Fertilizer Needs
Dichondra benefits from light feeding, making it an easy plant to maintain without excessive fertilization. Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer once or twice during the growing season to encourage steady growth. Container-grown Dichondra may require more frequent feeding, with a water-soluble fertilizer every 4–6 weeks to ensure lush foliage. Avoid over-fertilizing, as this can lead to weak, leggy growth and diminish the plant’s compact, carpet-like appearance. A balanced approach to fertilization will enhance its natural beauty and resilience.
Pruning & Maintenance
Dichondra requires minimal pruning, but occasional trimming can help maintain its neat and tidy appearance. Trim back overgrown or leggy stems to encourage new, compact growth and prevent the plant from becoming too unruly. Removing dead or damaged foliage helps prevent the spread of disease and keeps the plant looking its best. While Dichondra’s flowers are small and inconspicuous, deadheading is unnecessary, allowing you to focus on the plant’s lush foliage. With just a little attention, Dichondra can remain healthy and visually appealing throughout the season.
Overwintering
In colder climates, Dichondra requires protection to survive frost and freezing temperatures. Container-grown plants can be brought indoors before the first frost and placed in a sunny window to overwinter. For outdoor plants, applying a layer of mulch can provide insulation and help prevent frost damage. In areas where Dichondra does not survive the winter, propagate new plants from cuttings or reseed in spring to ensure its return. These simple measures can help gardeners enjoy Dichondra year after year, even in less favorable climates.
Common Pests and Diseases
Dichondra is relatively pest-resistant but can occasionally be affected by aphids, mealybugs, or whiteflies. Regularly inspecting the foliage for signs of infestation can help catch problems early. As for diseases, root rot can occur in poorly draining soils, and leaf spot may develop in overly humid conditions. By ensuring proper drainage, air circulation, and minimal overwatering, these issues can be largely avoided. Healthy growing conditions are the best defense against pests and diseases.
Common Mistakes and Misconceptions
One common mistake with Dichondra is overwatering, which can lead to root rot and other health issues. Planting it in heavy shade is another pitfall, as this reduces growth and diminishes its vigor. Neglecting to trim leggy growth can result in an untidy appearance, detracting from its overall aesthetic. Some gardeners mistakenly believe Dichondra is invasive, but while it spreads quickly, it is easy to control and manage. Another misconception is that Dichondra is not drought-tolerant or suitable as a lawn alternative—when in fact, it thrives in sunny, low-traffic areas with minimal watering.
Using Dichondra in the Garden
Dichondra’s versatility and ease of care make it an exceptional choice for a variety of garden applications. As a ground cover, it forms a dense, carpet-like mat of foliage, perfect for sunny slopes, pathways, or garden beds where low-maintenance greenery is desired. In containers and hanging baskets, the cascading habit of Dichondra Silver Falls adds an elegant touch, especially when paired with flowering plants like petunias or bacopa. For lawn alternatives, Dichondra Repens creates a soft, vibrant green carpet that requires little mowing and thrives in sunny or lightly shaded areas. Whether used for practical purposes or ornamental displays, Dichondra enhances any garden with its beauty and functionality.
Ground Cover
Dichondra is an exceptional choice for ground cover, forming a dense, carpet-like mat of foliage that effectively suppresses weeds and enhances the aesthetic of garden spaces. Its creeping growth habit makes it ideal for covering sunny slopes, pathways, and garden beds, creating a seamless and low-maintenance greenery.
Dichondra’s ability to thrive in various soil types and its drought tolerance add to its appeal as a ground cover in challenging locations. Whether used to stabilize slopes, fill in gaps between stepping stones, or provide a lush base layer for other plants, Dichondra offers both practical and visual benefits to landscapes.
Containers and Hanging Baskets
Dichondra Silver Falls is particularly popular for use in containers and hanging baskets due to its cascading growth habit and striking silvery-gray foliage. Its trailing stems spill elegantly over the edges of pots and baskets, adding movement and texture to patio and balcony arrangements.
When paired with colorful flowering plants like petunias, calibrachoa, or bacopa, Dichondra provides a beautiful contrast that enhances the overall display. Its low-maintenance nature makes it a great choice for busy gardeners looking to create stunning container arrangements with minimal effort. Dichondra’s ability to thrive in well-draining potting mixes ensures its adaptability to container gardening.
Lawn Alternative
Dichondra Repens serves as an excellent lawn alternative, offering a soft, carpet-like surface that requires minimal mowing and upkeep. Its low-growing habit and vibrant green foliage create a lush appearance that is particularly well-suited for low-traffic areas. Unlike traditional lawns, Dichondra lawns demand less water and fertilizer, making them an eco-friendly option for homeowners. This versatile plant thrives in sunny or lightly shaded areas and provides a visually appealing, low-maintenance solution for those looking to reduce lawn care efforts. Its ability to withstand occasional foot traffic further cements its reputation as a practical yet beautiful lawn substitute.
Dichondra Trails With Grace
Looking to grow Dichondra in your garden or containers? At Garden Delivery, we offer top-quality Dichondra ‘Silver Falls,’ a stunning trailing plant known for its shimmering silver foliage and graceful cascading habit. Perfect for hanging baskets, window boxes, and container edges, this drought-tolerant beauty also makes an excellent groundcover in sunny, well-drained areas. Its rounded, fan-shaped leaves add a soft, modern touch to garden designs while requiring very little maintenance. Sourced from trusted growers and selected for durability and impact, Dichondra brings movement, contrast, and elegance to any sunny space. Add ‘Silver Falls’ to your landscape today for effortless, season-long texture and shine.