Dichondra Repens: A Hardy Native Ground Cover

The Repens variety can handle light foot traffic, so this plant can give you a couple of options on how to use it, for example, either as a good ground cover or a lawn substitute. Its creeping habit also contributes to its versatility, so you can plant it in a hanging basket or even in rock gardens.

If designing a cottage garden, it would look delightful when planted to add contrast to paved areas and stepping stones.

How to Plant Dichondra Repens (Kidney Weed)?

Planting Dichondra Repens should be a breezy experience. To ensure successful results, follow these simple planting tips below:

• Kidney Weed prefers a spot with partial shade to full sun, so pick a planting area that can meet its lighting requirements.
• It prefers evenly moist to slightly dry soil. Perform soil testing if needed to ensure you're giving your plant the best growing conditions.
• To plant seeds, sprinkle them over the soil and cover lightly. Water gently and keep the soil moist until they germinate. Expect the process to take 7–14 days.
• If you're planting from established plants or plugs, simply plant them a few inches apart for instant coverage.

Why Should You Buy Dichondra Repens?

Here are just some of the reasons why Dichondra Repens will be great with other plants in your garden, transforming your outdoor landscape into a relaxing oasis of nature.

• Hardy and Low-Maintenance: It doesn’t require frequent mowing like with regular grass.
• Great Lawn Alternative: It's excellent for filling in gaps or creating a soft alternative to traditional grass.
• Tolerate Light Foot Traffic: Its tolerance to light foot traffic is also one of the reasons why it's a great lawn substitute.
• Drought-Tolerance: Even better, it’s drought-tolerant once established, helping you conserve water.

How to Care for Dichondra Repens (Kidney Weed)?

Kidney Weed is a low maintenance ground cover plant that doesn't require extensive care and maintenance, an appealing benefit if you're a beginner or a busy gardener.

But to ensure the plant remains healthy, here are some care tips you can use as guide:

• Keep it lightly watered as it establishes itself, then water more deeply but less frequently once it has grown.
• While adaptable, Kidney Weed can benefit from occasional feeding with a balanced, low-nitrogen fertiliser to boost growth and lushness.
• This plant prefers evenly moist to slightly dry soil, meaning it won't benefit from getting too much water. Soggy soil, in fact, won't sit well with Dichondra Repens.
• A light trim can help keep it tidy if it grows too wild, although, overall, the kidney weed plant doesn't require heavy pruning.
• The plant's dense growth may help suppress weeds, but a few may still pop up, especially in the beginning. Make sure you're on the lookout to quickly get rid of them.

Things to Consider When Growing Dichondra Repens

When growing Dichondra Repens or Kidney Weed, there are some things to keep in mind to make sure there aren't any surprises. First, is its tolerance to various climates. While the plant grows well in most climates and is even frost hardy, it may need protection when grown in very cold regions.

Second, its traffic tolerance isn't high — it may be soft when walked on but it's only suitable for low-traffic areas. If exposed to heavy foot traffic, the plant may not withstand it.

Third, Kidney Weed needs evenly moist soil and full sun to part shade to thrive. If these sunshine and soil requirements aren't met, you might not experience the plant's full lushness.

Treating Dichondra Repens for Pests and Diseases

Dichondra Repens is generally pest-resistant, but it can still occasionally be troubled by aphids, spider mites, or snails. If you spot pests, a simple insecticidal soap spray usually does the trick, or you can handpick snails as needed.

Fungal issues can occur if the soil stays too wet, so avoid overwatering and make sure it has good drainage.

Where Can I Buy Dichondra Repens?

Transform your landscape with the garden design of your choosing. With that we offer the lush and charming greenery of Dichondra Repens, the perfect ground cover for outdoor spaces.

Ready to add this plant type to your landscape and give your space a more lush, serene look? Feel free to contact us for more questions about our products and shipping.

Companion Plants for Dichondra Repens

Dichondra Repens pairs well with a variety of plants, some of which we've listed right here:

• Lavandula The Princess: Adds vertical interest and is also low-maintenance.
• Spikemoss: This low-maintenance plant complements Zoysia's dense, lush texture.
• Rosemary: A drought tolerant flowering plant that can add beauty and fragrance to your garden.
• No Mow Grass: This low-growing ground cover pairs well and can fill gaps in areas with higher foot traffic.