Dichondra micrantha is now found in many warm-temperate and subtropical regions of the world. It was originally introduced as a substitute for grasses in lawns (also as ground cover or soil binder) but readily escaped and now has become weedy in several countries, also in southern Europe. Further north it is an exceptional and usually ephemeral alien. It was established for some time in coastal dunes in Cornwall in the British Isles (Stace 2010). This species was long known as (and is still sometimes confused with; see Zielinski & Tan 2000) D. repens. The latter, however, is a species confined to Australia and New Zealand (Lawalrée 1970, Forde 1978).
Dichondra plants tolerate dry conditions well. Overwatering is more detrimental to the plants than under watering. If you stick your finger in the soil and the top inch is dry, it's time to water your dichondra.
Dichondra is at its best in full sun areas. Without a full day of sun, dichondra stems will not develop dense foliage, and leaves will be smaller.
One positive attribute about dichondra plants is their ability to thrive in gardens of low fertility. No supplemental fertilizers are necessary. If your soil is particularly rocky and poor, you can improve it by amending it with compost, which will provide trace nutrients.
Great drainage is important to dichondra plant health. A sandy loam is the best situation, while clay soils result in a slow plant demise. Plant dichondra in raised beds or containers with a soil-free potting mix if your landscape is characterized by clay soils.
Dichondra doesn't require pruning, but you can trim off the ends to give it a neater appearance in your containers or around paving stones. For a dichondra lawn, you can mow it at a height of about two inches to keep the plants from getting rangy.
Warm and hot weather help dichondra plants get growing. The plants are not frost tolerant, so don't plant them outdoors until the last frost date has past
Dichondra is an attractive addition to any container garden. Plant it at the container's edge, where it will take up little soil space as it spills over the rim. Plant at least three dichondra plants side-by-side to prevent a thin, scraggly appearance.
