Tropical Chickweed Plant Care

Tropical Chickweed (Drymaria cordata) belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family within the Drymaria genus. Tropical Chickweed is native to moist habitats in Latin America and sub-Saharan Africa, and has been introduced to many places in the tropics and subtropics, including the southeast US, the Caribbean, the Indian Subcontinent, southern China, Japan, and a number of islands. Tropical Chickweed is also known as White Flower, Lesser Chickweed, Jungle Geranium.

Tropical Chickweed displays a low spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Tropical Chickweed produces small white or pink flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 0.5 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Tropical Chickweed every 3–7 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Tropical Chickweed thrives in partial shade to full sun.

Drymaria cordata tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Tropical Chickweed prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Tropical Chickweed to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Tropical Chickweed every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with partial shade to full sun and well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Tropical Chickweed is suited to USDA Zone 9a – 11b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Tropical Chickweed can spread to about 1 ft (0.3 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 1 ft (0.3 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Tropical Chickweed while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Tropical Chickweed is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 9). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Tropical Chickweed can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to monticola drymaria plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Tropical Chickweed is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Tropical Chickweed grows outdoors in USDA Zone 9a – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 9a. Tropical Chickweed is native to moist habitats in Latin America and sub-Saharan Africa, and has been introduced to many places in the tropics and subtropics, including the southeast US, the Caribbean, the Indian Subcontinent, southern China, Japan, and a number of islands. In cooler regions, grow Tropical Chickweed as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.