Dichondra is not true lawn grass. In fact, it’s a high-quality ground cover and part of the morning glory family. People use it as a grass substitute as well.
If you decide to have the same, you need to be aware of some Dichondra lawn pros and cons. This brief article will help you understand better.
Pros & Cons of Dichondra Lawn
Let’s check them in brief first.
| Pros | Cons |
| Perfect for cool coastal conditions. | Prone to pests and diseases. |
| Can be used in rockeries. | Won’t do well under cool temperatures. |
| Excellent grass substitute. | Not suitable for shaded areas. |
| Does not choke out other plants. | Can’t tolerate heavy foot traffic. |
Now that you know the basics, let’s talk about them in detail.
Pros of Dichondra Lawn
- With brigh green color and kidney-shaped leaves, it’s great to have lush carpet of greenary.
- Dichondra can form a mat as thick as up to 3 inches high! For a cushion feel underfoot, it’s second to none!
- It does not require regular mowing. Mowing only 3 to 4 times a year is more than enough!
- If your yard has spots where other normal lawn grasses won’t grow, this is highly recommended!
- Looks nice between pavers due to the white, greenish, or yellowish flowers and green leaves.
- Whoever needs a maintenance free lawn, should strongly consider Dichondra.
Cons of Dichondra Lawn
Despite being a nice ground cover and a cool alternative to normal grass, some people still consider it as weed. That’s actually their personal choice.
But if you seriously consider having Dichondra, have a general overview of it’s below-mentioned cons as well:
- The first disadvantage of Dichondra lawn is that, it is prone to pests and diseases. The disease of Dichondra is most commonly known as leaf spot which is caused by Alternaria fungus. However, this problem mainly occurs due to overwatering.
- In many parts of the country, it’s just a nuisance.
Tips on Mowing Dichondra
If you plan to have Dichondra on your smaller yard or lawn, make sure to keep the mowing height around 1.5-inch to 2-inches for the summer. For winter, you should keep the mowing height as low as around ¾ inches.
Do not remove too much at one time while mowing.
What Is Dichondra, And Why Consider It?
Dichondra is a type of groundcover plant that works very well in smaller lawns. It looks circular and tends to hold water on the petals of the plant.
Usually, they don’t go past 2 inches in height, making them an excellent option for your lawn.
Now, the reason anyone should consider getting Dichondra on their lawn is its low maintenance. You don’t need to take too much care to keep the plant alive in your lawn or backyard.
Also, it gives your lawn a great look with the dark green color that you will love to see every day.
Walking on this plant has its perks as well. It’s not sharp, neither it comes with any thorns anywhere so that you can walk on it comfortably. Considering all these factors, it’s an excellent option for a lawn plant.
Are You Growing And Caring For Dichondra?
We will not dive into too much detail on growing Dichondra as it’s not an article about that. Here, we will tell you the basic procedure you will need to follow for increasing Dichondra.
Now, the essential part of growing Dichondra is in the preparation of the seedbed. It’s a crucial part of a well-grown Dichondra.
For the position, you should be looking at an area that is weed-free and raked. Also, make sure to choose an area that is clod-free and has properly drained soil.
As for the sun, you can go for a place with partial shade or full sun.
When scattering the seeds, make sure to do it lightly; could you not keep them all jammed up?
Also, try scattering them on loosened soil that is wet but isn’t soggy at all.
This helps in growing Dichondra much quicker and better.
Speaking of growing Dichondra better, you can always try out extra things like using a peat moss layer to cover the seeds.
Just make sure to do a light layer of it.
Also, try planting the seeds in early spring or early fall to increase the chances of better growth.
Usually, if you follow all the proper methods and keep it under appropriate conditions, then you can expect the seeds to sprout within 14 days at max.
It can also be as quick as seven days, depending on the sunlight and other conditions.
Let’s talk about taking care of Dichondra. The most crucial part of keeping Dichondra in proper shape is infrequent watering that goes deep.
It would help if you also gave the plants time to dry out in between watering them.
If you plan to mow the Dichondra lawn, you should always keep the height to around 1.5 inches. Also, even after mowing, make sure to go for cutting every two weeks.
Considering what to use for Dichondra plants, you can try out using Nitrogen for the growing season of the plant.
No matter what you do, you should always avoid using any herbicide that has 2-4D. This may kill your Dichondra plants completely.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, in many places, Dichondra is considered to be a valued ground cover and even the substitute for lawn grass!
It can tolerate some heat but it is not so drought tolerant. It requires high nitrogen and well-drained soil.
Yes, it’s a fast-growing low-profile ground cover.
No, it won’t choke out other grass.
No, but it can cause dermatitis in both animals and humans.
Final Thoughts
Now that you are perfectly well informed about the Dichondra lawn pros and cons, I hope you will love this ground-hugging perennial ground cover for your smaller yard or lawn.
Let me know if you need more information about Dichondra in the comment box.
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Hi Den, I have a garden which I removed rampant grevillia from and have replanted, however Dichondra has overtaken and is spreading and choking everything in its path including a great native ground cover which cannot be seen anymore. I’ve tried to dig out but it’s too big an area and there a masses of roots beneath the surface. Can you suggest a way to control the Dichondra please.
What depth should borders of a dichondra lawn be to stop invasion to other garden beds?
Is there a selective weed killer for dichondra?