Dichondra repens: care | Gardening enabled

dichondra repens care

If you are looking for one of plants that are easier to maintain and can serve as an alternative to grass, then we have a winner. Care for Dichondra repens makes this plant both a decorative and functional choice in gardens.

But, to really look good, the important thing is to know what those worries are. And this is exactly what we are going to devote ourselves to in this article, know in depth everything that this plant needs Feel good. Dark?

Contents

Dichondra repens Care

Dichondra repens with flower

The Dichondra repens is characterized by offering a very dense mantle, almost more than the grass itself, and has the the advantage of resisting high summer temperatures, as well as shade. For this reason, many opt for this option which can be kept perennial throughout the year (although it actually changes color in the winter to a brown that makes it look like it is dead (but in reality This is not the case).

Do you want to know what the care of Dichondra repens is?

Location

We start with the location and, if you have read the previous paragraph, you will know that the Dichondra repens is a plant that tolerates shade, partial shade and full sun. That’s right, you can put it anywhere in the garden without worrying about whether it will work or not. If you provide a good substrate, there will be no problem.

In fact, it will sometimes be necessary to “hold this” in the sense that it can be invasive if conditions permit. Therefore, when placing it in the garden, you must ensure that it does not replace other plants or areas where you do not wish to have it.

Another aspect to consider is its growth. In shade and partial shade it grows much faster than in full sun. In fact, it’s able to grow up to 15 cm in height, allowing it to be pruned if necessary. But in the sun its growth slows down more (even if you don’t have to prune the plant all year or more).

Temperature

We also told you something before. And it is that this plant can tolerates high temperatures, being in full sun, as well as low ones. Indeed, it supports frosts down to -9 degrees. And if you don’t mind that in winter his “coat” turns brown, he could withstand a few more degrees.

Almost always, if the roots are good, in the spring it would grow back, so there would be no problem keeping it for many years (it could even adapt to the climate of the area).

dichondra

Substrate

You should know that Dichondra repens is one of the most resistant plants that exists. And able to grow in any type of soil. This means you don’t have to worry about what you should put on it or not, it will fit what you have.

Together with the climate, which also adapts, this makes it a plant that will not cause you many problems.

Sure, This plant can be kept in a pot as well as planted in the garden. In a pot it is usually hung because it grows quickly and is much better. And if he is on the ground, he develops.

Irrigation

Irrigation is still one of the most important care for plants. And in the case of the care of Dichondra repens it will be no less. But the truth is that you will have it much easier than with the others.

To start, you should know that this plant consumes little water compared to grass. If you need to water it almost continuously in the summer, in the case of dichondra only with watering every five days will suffice (in summer). And it doesn’t need so much water.

No humidity is needed either, which is a plus. In general, it is only when it is very cold that it will turn brown, the rest of the time it will retain its characteristic greenness.

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Although it’s not necessary, some experts recommend adding a little when planting so it can grow faster. For this, it is recommended a granulated compost in early spring to encourage their activity and develop much more.

Of course, if you have it in a pot, instead of granular fertilizer, you can use liquid fertilizer in the irrigation water. Apply it in the spring once every 15-30 days to see results.

plant dichondra repens

Plagues and diseases

Before we commented that it is a very resistant plant. And in the case of pests and diseases, we have to agree with them because they are usually not attacked by them. But that doesn’t mean he’s immune.

In fact, you can have fungus and/or beetle problems, most of them caused by problems with irrigation and humidity of the plant.

To solve this problem, you can apply a little nitrogen which wards off pests and diseases, while activating the plant for further growth.

the reproduction

We come to the multiplication of Dichondra repens. And in this case you should know that there are two methods to achieve this.

One of the first used are the seeds. They are thrown to the ground and waited (which can take up to 5 months to germinate or activate and grow).

The other method is “nodes”, that while it shortens the waiting time somewhat, it’s not much either. It consists of cutting branches of the plant with knots, since in each of them an aerial root is generated which, in contact with the ground, activates and causes its installation and development. The chances of the plant succeeding are very high.

As you can see, the care of Dichondra repens is not at all complicated, quite the contrary. And it becomes a substitute for grass which may be what you have been looking for to have a green space in your garden. Of course, this does not exempt other (wild) plants from being born. If they are small, you can remove them with your hands, but if there are a lot of them, or you are going to place it in an area where many usually come out, it is better to treat the ground first for the avoid, otherwise you have to use selective mowing from time to time. Do you dare this plant at home?

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