Kidney Weed Plant Care
Dichondra microcalyx (Hallier f.) Fabris
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Dichondra microcalyx, the mouse ear, is a species of plant in the family Convolvulaceae.
Full sun to part shade
At a glance
How do you care for Kidney Weed?
Kidney Weed grows best in full sun to part shade.
What Is the Kidney Weed?
Kidney Weed (Dichondra microcalyx) belongs to the Convolvulaceae family within the Dichondra genus.
Kidney Weed displays a low-growing, spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Kidney Weed produces tiny inconspicuous flowers.
What Light Does the Kidney Weed Need?
Kidney Weed thrives in full sun to part shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to part shade
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Kidney Weed?
Well-draining sandy soil mix with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Kidney Weed to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Kidney Weed?
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 Kidney Weed?
Kidney Weed 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 Kidney Weed Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Kidney Weed, 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 Kidney Weed?
Kidney Weed 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
Kidney Weed 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.
Kidney Weed 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 microcalyx (Hallier f.) Fabris, family Convolvulaceae (first published in Fl. Prov. Buenos Aires 5: 74 (1965)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Kidney Weed, 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.
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