Name: The Plant Company
Address: 284 Meeanee Road, Meeanee, Napier, 4112, New Zealand
Telephone: 0800 843 752
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dichondra plant

Looking for a versatile, low-maintenance ground cover with striking foliage? The dichondra plant is an absolute favourite among New Zealand gardeners for its lush, trailing growth and resilient nature. Whether you’re seeking a soft green carpet for your lawn alternative, an elegant accent in hanging baskets, or a way to fill challenging spots with beauty, dichondra’s adaptability makes it a popular choice both indoors and outdoors. This guide explores the essentials of caring for dichondra plants, their remarkable varieties, landscape uses, and important tips to keep your garden looking vibrant year-round.

Duranta Geisha Girl (Geisha Girl Plant)

Duranta Geisha Girl is a popular choice known for its evergreen shrub with fresh green leaves and deep, blue flowers. The flowers have a white centre and are held at the end of weeping branches from spring through autumn. This plant can be trained as a standard or allowed to grow naturally where it will reach about 1.5 m tall and 1 m wide. Duranta Geisha Girl makes a colourful addition to any garden and can be used in mixed plantings, maintained in a container, grown as a standard, planted around outdoor living areas, or used to provide an amazing splash of colour.. This plant fits well in NZ gardens, offering unique features and beauty.

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From $28.28

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Shrubs

Height: 1.50 m

Spread: 1.00 m

Flowering time: Spring, Autumn, Winter

Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy

Garden uses: Containers, Living areas, Pool areas, Topiary

Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Rock, Tropical

Victory Gold - 1 Litre

Victory Gold is an herbicide used to control many types of broadleaf weeds in lawns. Susceptible weeds include: cape daisy, catsear, chickweed, clovers, cotula, cudweed, daisy, dandelion, dichondra, dock, hawkbit, hawksbeard, hydrocotyle, mallow, mayweed, nettles, onehunga weed, oxalis (creeping), parsley piert, plantain, pearlwort, penny royal, ragwort, shepherds purse, sorrel, storksbill, thistles, twincress, and wireweed. Moderately susceptible weeds Include: buttercup, selfheal, yarrow. Resistant weeds include: all grasses and speedwells. For the most effective results applications should be made during active growth using a rate of 12 ml of Victory Gold per litre of water. Please read the instructions carefully before using this product.

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From $153.21

What Is the Dichondra Plant?

Dichondra is a small, perennial herb known for its circular, fan-shaped leaves and prostrate growth habit. Originally native to warm climates, the dichondra plant thrives in well-drained soils across New Zealand, handling both sun and partial shade with ease. Its creeping stems quickly form lush mats, making it an excellent ground cover or filler for bare patches in the garden. The dichondra plant is also drought-tolerant, requiring minimal water once established, and boasts excellent resistance to foot traffic and pests.

Popular Varieties of Dichondra

Dichondra comes in several distinct varieties, each with its own unique charm and landscaping appeal. For statement foliage in containers or gardens, Dichondra Emerald Falls is prized for its deep green leaves and trailing habit. If you prefer a silvery accent, Dichondra Silver Falls offers beautiful, shimmering leaves that contrast wonderfully with other plants or brighten shaded corners. For a native option well-suited to lawns and ground cover, Dichondra repens is a robust, NZ favourite with soft green foliage and reliable growth.

Garden Uses for Dichondra Plant

The dichondra plant is celebrated for its versatility in the landscape. Use it as a low-growing lawn substitute, especially in areas where traditional grass struggles. Its prostrate nature suppresses weeds, reducing the need for maintenance. In pots, hanging baskets, or vertical gardens, dichondra’s cascading stems add movement and visual interest. It pairs beautifully with other perennials—try it with vibrant blooms like the Tulip Rococo Plant for a striking colour contrast. Dichondra is also ideal for edging pathways, covering slopes, or filling rock gardens.

Dichondra Plant Care Tips

To get the best from your dichondra plant, choose a sunny or lightly shaded location with well-drained soil. Water newly planted dichondra regularly until established, then only during extended dry spells. Feed occasionally with a balanced fertiliser to encourage lush growth and leaf colour. Keep an eye out for weeds, and if needed, control unwanted plants with targeted treatments—products like Victory Gold - 1 Litre can help keep your garden neat without harming dichondra. Prune back stems as desired to maintain shape, and watch for signs of over-watering, which can lead to yellowing leaves.

Why Choose Dichondra Plant for Your Garden?

Dichondra’s unique foliage, ease of care, and multifaceted uses make it perfect for New Zealand gardens big or small. Whether transforming a patchy lawn, brightening balconies, or complementing perennial displays, the dichondra plant delivers year-round greenery and charm. Explore our range of dichondra varieties to find the perfect fit for your garden and create stunning, low-fuss landscapes you’ll love.

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.