Dichondra Plant Care
Dichondra micrantha Urb.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Dichondra micrantha, the Asian ponysfoot or lawnleaf, is a species of flowering plant in the family Convolvulaceae. It is native to Texas, Mexico, and the Caribbean, and it has been introduced worldwide.
Full sun to part shade
At a glance
How do you care for Dichondra?
Dichondra grows best in full sun to part shade.
Where Is the Dichondra Native To?
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Aruba
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Cayman Islands
- Cuba
- Curaçao
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- Grenada
- Guadeloupe
- Haiti
- Jamaica
- Martinique
- Mexico
- Puerto Rico
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Turks and Caicos Islands
- United States
- Virgin Islands, British
- Virgin Islands, U.S.
What Is the Dichondra?
Dichondra (Dichondra micrantha) belongs to the Convolvulaceae family within the Dichondra genus. Dichondra is native to Texas, Mexico, and the Caribbean, and it has been introduced worldwide. Dichondra is also known as Kidney Weed.
Dichondra displays a low-growing, spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Dichondra produces tiny inconspicuous flowers.
What Light Does the Dichondra Need?
Dichondra thrives in full sun to part shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to part shade
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Dichondra?
Well-draining sandy soil mix with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Dichondra to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Dichondra?
Repot every 1-2 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Dichondra?
Dichondra can be propagated through by seeds or stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to silver ponyfoot plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Dichondra Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Dichondra, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Dichondra?
Dichondra 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.
Keep exploring plants
Dichondra is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Dichondra genus — compare its care with other Dichondra species on PlantoScan.
Dichondra is part of the Convolvulaceae plant family — browse all Convolvulaceae genera and species.
Dichondra thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Dichondra micrantha Urb., family Convolvulaceae (first published in Symb. Antill. 9: 243 (1924)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Dichondra, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
Identify Plants Like the
Dichondra Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species