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Dichondra argentea (Silver Dichondra) - An attractive deciduous groundcover with round leaves that are silky and silvery on both sides. Plants grow to only a couple inches tall and spread by adventitious runners to form a solid cover from spring through late fall but is semi to fully deciduous in winter.
Plant in full sun to light shade in a well-drained soil and irrigate occasionally. This Dichondra cascades well, so it makes a great companion plant for the edges of a pot or planted so that it can hang down a wall.
Dichondra argentea is native to Texas south into the Mexican states of Durango and Michoacan. The name for the genus comes from the Greek words 'dis', meaning "two" and 'chondros' meaning "grain" in reference to characteristics of the fruits. The specific epithet is from the Latin word meaning "silvery" or "of silver" in reference to the foliage color. Plants in the genus are often called Pony's Foot because of the leaf shape and the common name Kidneyweed is probably in reference to noted herbal uses of the plant in Mexico.
We grew this plant from 1997 until closing the nursery in 2025 and the selection we grew appears to be the same as the plant that has been sold with the cultivar name 'Silver Falls'. We also long grew the larger more evergreen species Dichondra sericea that has larger leaves.
Information displayed on this page about Dichondra argentea is based on our research conducted about this plant in our nursery library as well as from information provided by reliable online resources. We also include our own observations made about it as it has grown in the nursery gardens and other gardens visited, as well how the crops of this plant performed in the containers in our nursery field. We will also include comments received from others and welcome hearing from anyone who has information about this plant, particularly if it includes cultural information aiding others to better grow it.
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