How to Grow Dichondra Repens as a Trailing Plant? Detailed Planting Methods and Tips

Dichondra repens is a herbaceous plant with creeping stems, and its stems and branches are relatively slender, with leaves that are mostly round and a very emerald green color. It is very suitable for planting as a garden greenery, and when grown as a trailing potted plant, its ornamental value is even higher. So, what planting methods are there for dichondra repens?

I. Growing Environment

To make potted dichondra repens grow vigorously and emerald green, light in the care environment is important. Because dichondra repens has a large number of leaves, the more fully it receives light, the more it can promote photosynthesis, and thereby maintain vigorous growth. This is a mutually reinforcing process of healthy development.

But from the growing habits of dichondra repens, we know that while it likes light, it also has a certain tolerance for shade and moisture, so it can also grow well in a semi-shady, moist environment. And sometimes it also needs to be properly shaded, especially in the hot summer season, when appropriate shading can prevent its tender leaves from being scorched and wilting.

II. Water and Fertilizer

Because dichondra repens grows relatively quickly after emergence and consumes a large amount of water, it should be watered promptly after emergence. Under sufficient water supply, the young seedlings will continue to grow rapidly. Generally, they can be given a thorough watering 1-2 times per week, and in hot weather and high-temperature dry conditions, watering should be increased even more. After all, its leaves are very lush, water evaporation is high, and its own water consumption is also large. For mature plants, water replenishment should be appropriately controlled in early spring and early winter, while during the vigorous growth period in spring, watering should be done promptly according to whether the potting soil is dry or moist.

Normally, the potting soil should be kept moist at all times, and water shortage should be avoided as much as possible. This is because when dichondra repens lacks water, it will drop leaves, and it will be difficult for it to sprout new leaves, resulting in sparse branches and leaves that greatly reduce the ornamental value of the potted plant. Usually only when a sufficient supply of water and fertilizer is ensured will the plant grow dense branches and leaves. Of course, if the air is too dry, we can also spray more water to maintain humidity, and at the same time it can also clean the leaves and make the leaf color even fresher and greener.

Not only that, dichondra repens also relatively likes fertilizer, especially nitrogen fertilizer. And in order to promote it to quickly grow into a waterfall-like, pot-filling state, we need to apply nitrogen fertilizer in time, which can be done together with watering or rain. But after each topdressing, water heavily in time, which can reduce the risk of fertilizer damage and prevent the leaves from being harmed by fertilizer. It should be noted that topdressing should be stopped under high-temperature conditions in summer.

III. Scientific Pruning

If you want to grow potted dichondra repens into a waterfall-like effect, in addition to a suitable growing environment and keeping up with water and fertilizer management, we also need to carry out scientific pruning. After all, dichondra repens grows very quickly when the environment is suitable and water and fertilizer are sufficient. If reasonable pruning is not carried out in time, it will not only be unfavorable for the plant to display a graceful shape, but will also affect the overall vigor due to excessive local density.

Through reasonable pruning, the plant can be made well-spaced and orderly, which not only allows the plant to maintain a good shape, but also stimulates the plant to sprout new branches and leaves, keeping the potted plant always fresh and green and full of growth vitality. Therefore, we need to carry out reasonable pruning in time. And when pruning, the key is to cut off those branches and leaves that affect the appearance, and to tidy up branches and leaves that are crossed and messy.