Silver falls

Sun

Full sun for the strongest silver colour and compact growth; tolerates light partial shade.

Water

Low to moderate once established. Let the soil surface dry between waterings; containers need more frequent checks than plants in the ground.

Soil

Well-drained sandy, gritty or loamy soil. Use a freely draining potting mix in containers; avoid persistently wet ground.

Height

0.25-0.5 ft (0.08-0.15 m)

Spread

3-6 ft (0.9-1.8 m), with stems trailing a similar distance from containers

Foliage

Evergreen. Small, rounded to kidney-shaped leaves covered in fine silvery hairs, carried on slender trailing stems.

Growth

Fast in warm weather

Care needed

Low

• Plant outdoors after frost risk has passed and the soil has warmed.
• Water newly planted plants regularly until rooted, then allow the soil surface to dry between waterings.
• Use pots with drainage holes and empty saucers after watering.
• Feed container plants lightly with a balanced liquid fertiliser every four to six weeks during active growth.
• Keep mulch away from the crown and avoid burying the stems in damp organic material.
• In cold climates, bring a small plant or rooted cuttings into a bright, frost-free place before autumn frosts.

Pruning. Trim long stems during spring and summer to control their length and encourage branching. Remove dead or damaged growth in spring, but avoid cutting a weak plant back hard.

Late winter

Start seed indoors in warmth if growing plants for spring containers.

Spring

Trim overwintered plants and gradually acclimatise indoor plants to outdoor light.

Late spring

Plant outside after frost risk has passed, choosing a sunny position with free drainage.

Summer

Check container moisture regularly, feed lightly and shorten trailing stems if needed.

Late summer

Take stem cuttings if you want young plants to keep through winter.

Autumn

Move plants under frost-free cover in cold regions, or remove them after frost if treating them as annuals.

Winter

Keep sheltered plants in bright light and water sparingly without allowing the root ball to dry out completely.

• Trail over the edges of tall pots or hanging baskets to create a silver curtain beneath upright plants.
• Soften raised-bed and retaining-wall edges in sunny, well-drained positions.
• Use as a low silver carpet between widely spaced drought-tolerant plants where it will not be walked on.
• Pair with purple flowers or dark foliage for contrast in summer containers.
• Combine with succulents in containers where drainage is excellent and watering needs are compatible.

Garden styles it suits: Modern Mediterranean, Modern courtyard, Dry gravel garden, Mediterranean, Moon garden and Small-space.

Plant it with: Lavender, Verbena, Pelargonium, Purple fountain grass, Echeveria and Salvia.

Wildlife: Its small, inconspicuous flowers offer limited garden wildlife value. It is grown mainly for foliage rather than as a nectar plant.

• Root or crown rot in wet soil: improve drainage, reduce watering and discard badly rotted plants.
• Thin, greenish growth in shade: move to a sunnier position and trim lightly once healthy growth resumes.
• Frost damage: protect before freezing weather or replace plants in spring; do not expect reliable winter survival in cold regions.
• Aphids on soft new growth: rinse off small colonies or use an insecticidal soap labelled for ornamental plants.

Not known to be toxic to cats, dogs, horses or people. No part is recognised as a serious poisoning hazard, but it is not an edible plant and should not be deliberately eaten.

• Kidney weed (Dichondra repens)

  Has green, rather than densely silver-haired, kidney-shaped leaves and usually forms a closer ground-hugging mat.

• Liquorice plant (Helichrysum petiolare)

  Also has rounded silver leaves, but they are generally larger and thicker, and the plant develops branching, woody stems rather than fine creeping runners.

Dichondra refers to the fruit's two grain-like sections, argentea means silvery, and 'Silver Falls' describes the cascading silver foliage.

Propagation. Sow seed in warmth in late winter or spring, or take stem cuttings during warm weather. Stems can root where they touch soil; rooted sections can be separated and potted. Use cuttings to retain the characteristics of a named cultivar.

Accepted botanical name

Dichondra argentea

Native range

Argentina Northwest, Bolivia, Brazil Southeast, Colombia, Mexico Central, Mexico Gulf, Mexico Northeast, Mexico Southeast, Mexico Southwest, New Mexico, Texas and Arizona.

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0) and Trefle (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.