Dichondra Care Guide and Garden Uses

Dichondra (Dichondra repens), a perennial herb in the genus Dichondra of the family Convolvulaceae, gets its name because its leaves resemble a horse's hoof or a kidney; it is also known as small pennywort. The plant is low-growing, with creeping stems that hug the ground and readily root at the nodes, naturally spreading into a dense green carpet, and it is a common ornamental groundcover plant in southern China.

In landscaping, dichondra is often used to establish lawns, or as a cover plant for tree pits and slopes; its foliage is emerald green and its surface is even, giving a fine ornamental effect. It tolerates partial shade and grows normally even under tree shade, so it is mostly used for greening beneath trees. Besides being planted in the ground, dichondra can also be grown in pots for ornament and can even be grown in water, placed indoors for a fresh and distinctive look.

When caring for dichondra, provide a warm, humid environment, and keep the soil moist during the growing season; drought and lack of water easily cause the leaves to turn yellow and the lawn to thin out. It likes light and also tolerates shade, and often grows finer in a partially shaded environment. During the peak growing season, supplement nitrogen fertilizer as appropriate to promote deep green foliage, and prune regularly to control height and keep the lawn surface even.

In hot, humid seasons, dichondra is prone to diseases such as southern blight and brown patch; usually pay attention to ventilation, avoid waterlogging, and promptly cut off diseased plants and spray fungicide for control. As for pests, the main ones are snails, white grubs and the like, which can be controlled by hand-picking or chemical treatment. As long as water and ventilation are managed well, dichondra can maintain a good ornamental state for a long time.