Silver falls

Silver falls Dichondra argentea

What is the plant

If you are just starting to populate your garden with evergreen plants or if you are already an expert plant lover that just wants to add some extra green to your outdoor space, Silver Falls is one to put your bets on. This crawling plant will resist almost any environment and is an easy-care choice, so you really just need to plant it and enjoy its silvery-green shades all year round.

Silver Nickel Vine has its origins in Mexico, Australia, and the United States, so it is easy to adapt to a variety of conditions. Its circular powdered green leaves hurry to fill up every space on the vine and cascade over outdoor walls or crawl as ground cover. You can easily grow it directly in soil or in hanging baskets where it reaches up to 3-4 inches height (7-10 cm) and 3-4 ft in width (90-120 cm). In early summer, Silver Falls will bloom with white or pale green flowers.

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Humidity

Normal

Lighting

Full Sun

Temperature

18°C - 25°C

Hardiness zone

8b - 11b

Difficulty

Medium

Hibernation

Cold Period

Water
Before the plant reaches maturity, you will need to water it almost weekly to help it strengthen. Once established, let the soil dry between waterings, so you avoid overwatering it. If you put your Silver vine in a sunny spot, keep an eye on the moisture of the soil, you might need to increase the watering frequency during summer. It is drought tolerant and prefers dryer conditions, so don’t worry too much, as this plant is very forgiving and will recover shortly if you skip one watering session.
Sunlight
You can keep it anywhere from full sun to partial shade, but remember that more sun equals more dense growth, so you will need to prune the Silver Falls more consistently. This can be both a curse and a blessing, depending what your gardening goals are, but the general recommendation is to give it a few hours of full sun daily.
Fertilizer
This crawling plant has enough energy to grow by itself, but you can fertilize the soil by adding compost to it during springtime. A slow-release fertilizer is best to use with your Silver vine as it will gently give it some extra boost to spring more leaves.

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Soil
The ideal soil for Dichondra is a mix of sandy and loamy soil. Try to use a stony soil type or just any type of soil that is well-draining, both for indoor or outdoor conditions.
Pruning
Silver Falls is a cascading plant that will spread quickly, so you can prune it in early spring to maintain its shape. Cut any dead leaves or affected vines to maintain good airflow between its vines. Don’t be afraid to touch its wild “runners” with the gardening scissors, as they will grow rapidly and quite chaotic once they touch the ground.
Propagation
The most common way to propagate your Dichondra is by seed during spring. It takes approximately one to two weeks until the seeds germinate, so propagation really is an easy thing to do, even for beginners. Take the seeds and place them in nursery pots covered with potting mix and keep these pots in warm, humid conditions, preferably indoors. Water regularly so the soil stays moist until the seeds start to germinate. Once the new plants have appeared, you can plant them in soil where you added organic compost beforehand. Keep the watering schedule frequent in this period, so your Silver Falls can shortly become a grownup crawling plant for your garden.

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Temperature
This plant resists temperatures that can drop down to 20 °F (-6 °C), but it is advised to have it placed next to a stony wall that can maintain its temperature during colder months. It prefers warm, humid temperatures and its ideal temperature range is 64-77 °F (18-25°C).
Container
You can plant Silver Falls in containers and hanging baskets or plant it outside. It will require more care if planted outside in its early growth stages, but once it gains its independence, you can almost forget about it. If you choose to plant it in a container, choose one with drainage holes and wide enough to let it spread. A container of 10-12 inches (25-30 cm) in width should be just enough. If you plant them outside, plant them about 12 inches (30 cm) apart, so you give the plant enough space to grow.
Fun fact
Its ancestors are older than the grass itself. Once upon a time, Dichondra plants were a species used as ground cover instead of grass. More specifically, Dichondra micrantha was used to cover the ground of any garden in Central America. With time, gardeners started to favor grass and came up with a new species, D. argentea Silver Falls, and found new aesthetic ways for your to identify Silver Nickel Vine in the interior.
Popularity
554 people already have this plant 233 people have added this plant to their wishlists

Common pests
Silver Falls might be the luckiest crawling plant of them all, as it is resistant to insects and pests and will not be too much trouble. The main thing that can affect the plant is root rot caused by overwatering, but this can easily be corrected by lowering the watering frequency. The plant will give you signals on its stems that start to darken and weaken.
Frequent diseases
Botanist’s tips