How do you care for Dichondra Silver Falls?

How do you care for Dichondra Silver Falls?

Dichondra Silver Falls must be cared for to ensure its continued healthy growth. It loves full sun, but will tolerate partial shade. You can start this plant indoors by setting it in a pot or in a greenhouse or indoor garden.

If starting indoors, place your Silver Falls pot on an east or south-facing windowsill so that the foliage outside can receive sunlight. The following are the factors when caring Dichondra Silver Falls;

Sunlight

Plants that are placed in full sunlight will require at least 6 hours of sunlight per day, although plants in containers should be moved indoors during the colder months. Sunlight is one of the best ways to increase the overall coolness of your home.

By placing plants in front of windows, you can keep your home cooler. Plants also help to create a humid area by producing moisture, so that you wouldn’t need to run your air conditioner as much when you have them in place.

Soil

Dichondra Silver Falls requires sandy loam soil with a pH level of 6.0 to 7.0 and moderate watering. Although it is a plant that tolerates some dryness, don’t allow the soil to become completely dry as this can cause damage to the roots.

Water

Once your plant has become established, you can expect to water your Silver Falls plant every two to five days in the summer and every three weeks during the cooler months of spring and autumn. Soak your Silver Falls plants thoroughly until the water drains through the drainage holes of the pot.

Then allow the soil to dry slightly between watering. Where possible, don’t use hard water on your Dichondra Silver Falls.

Temperature

Dichondra Silver Falls is a plant that prefers to be in a location that receives about 55 degrees F. or warmer for optimal growth. If you are growing your Silver Falls indoors and you have limited sunlight, you can place it near a heater so that it gets the warmth it needs.

But be warned that placing a potted plant near a heater can cause the potting soil to dry out more quickly than normal. A room temperature of around 75 degrees F should suffice in terms of temperature needed by your plant indoors.

Humidity

Dichondra Silver Falls is a plant that likes to be kept moist. If you live in an area where there is a good amount of humidity, you can mist the leaves of your Silver Falls plant several times per week to ensure that the foliage remains moist. This will help maintain optimal growth of your Silver Falls plant.

Propagation

The propagation of the Dichondra Silver Falls plant involves three different methods: growing the plant from seeds, rooting cuttings and dividing the root ball. It is important to note that if you are growing your Silver Falls in pots, using any method of propagation will require repotting.

This propagation process involves sowing seeds in a mixture of sand and peat moss or fine sphagnum moss, and then keeping them slightly moist until they germinate.

Repotting

Repotting your Dichondra Silver Falls plant is necessary once it has outgrown its pot. The plant has a tendency to root more easily when it is grown in a container rather than being planted directly in the ground.

The roots of the Silver Falls plant can grow quite large, which means that they will need to be repotted into a larger container.

Pruning

Dichondra Silver Falls requires minimal pruning, as the plant’s stems are not very woody. However, if your plant has become dense or it is overgrown, then you can remove the excess branches to maintain its small size. Otherwise it is best to leave your Dichondra Silver Falls alone and allow for natural growth.

Pests and Diseases

Silver Falls are susceptible to a number of pests and diseases. In particular, aphids can cause damage by chewing off the leaves and by sucking the sap from the stems. These pests can be controlled with insecticidal sprays. Also, the roots are susceptible to a fungus known as root rot, which can be controlled with fungicides.

How often do you water Dichondra Silver Falls?

Dichondra Silver Falls enjoy warm, dry growth environments and, once established, can survive heat and moderate drought. They will require weekly watering but should be allowed to dry out completely. In hot weather, a little more water is beneficial.

While in cold weather, the plants will require less water but the soil should not be allowed to dry out completely. Watering weekly provides optimal growth and avoid root rot.

However, if you notice that it is not growing as well as you would like, getting in touch with an experienced landscaper might be a good idea. Dichondra Silver Falls must be kept moist, but not soggy.

How do you fertilize Dichondra Silver Falls?

Fertilizer is used to improve the growth of your plant. During the growing season, use a standard houseplant fertilizer, once every two weeks on each side of the plant and twice a month at other times.

Use liquid fertilizer in summer or dilute flower food with water and then pour into watering can. Use only half the amount of fertilizer that is recommended on the label.

A weak fertilize solution will give better growth results than a strong solution. Avoid over-feeding of fertilizer, and never use it in direct sunlight.

How quickly does Dichondra Silver Falls grow?

Silver Falls are slow growing plants that prefer regular watering during the summer months and full sun. They can grow to be about 6 feet tall, so they will remain small plants even when mature. Although the roots are large, the plant itself is small due to its compact habit of growth.

The optimal temperature for seed germination is around 21 degrees Celsius during the day and 10 degrees Celsius at night. Seeds will germinate in 7-14 days, depending on the time of sowing and other environmental circumstances.

Dichondra Silver Falls can tolerate a range of soil conditions, but does best in well drained soils rich in peat moss or vermiculite. It can also be grown as an indoor pot plant.

Dichondra Silver Falls is often confused with Tropical Silver Falls due to its silver-white variegation. This plant has a similar appearance and is sometimes used in tropical landscapes. However, this plant is not cold hardy and should be grown indoors in colder climates.

Is Dichondra Silver Falls a succulent?

Dichondra Silver Falls, an herbaceous and evergreen perennial, is commonly referred to as Silver Falls. It is hardy to zone 10 outdoors and may be planted as a low groundcover or trailing over the edge of a raised bed or container.

It is part of the Acanthaceae family and native to South Africa. If you are in an area that gets a lot of rain, it might not be a good idea to grow Dichondra Silver Falls as they do not do as well in wet conditions.

It is better to grow them on raised beds with good drainage or containers which will help them remain drier. Although Silver Falls are generally growing in cooler climates, they can tolerate slightly warmer temperatures too.

If you are in an area with a lot of humidity, it might be better to keep the soil of your Dichondra Silver Falls moist. However, it is best to mist them and not soak them. If you notice that your Dichondra Silver Falls are getting too wet, try cutting off the tips of their stems before repotting into a larger container.

What type of soil does Dichondra Silver Falls need?

Dichondra Silver Falls enjoys well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter, but it can also be grown as an indoor pot plant. Planting in a well-drained location is important, as they are prone to root rot.

They can grow in almost any soil type and will do best if planted with their roots contained within a container. If this is not the case, then allow for some drainage in the soil and make sure that there is not standing water in the soil.

Dichondra Silver Falls can tolerate sandy soils and also loamy soils but prefers rich, porous and slightly acidic soils. These plants are sensitive to overwatering so it is best to water them only when the soil has dried out. The best way to do this is to water your Silver Falls in the morning, as they do not like wet feet throughout the day.

Can you propagate Dichondra Silver Falls from seed?

With some patience, you can grow a new Dichondra Silver Falls from seed. To do this, simply sow the seeds in a shallow tray filled with moist soil and keep it somewhere warm and dry. Once the seeds are germinated, remove them from the tray. It will take approximately 50-65 days for Dichondra Silver Falls to emerge.

Horticultural oils can be used to stimulate seed germination, but this may not be successful every time. As a general rule, if the seeds are not germinating or are sprouting slowly, then they will not be successful with seed propagation.

Since Dichondra Silver Falls grow slowly, you may not want to try growing them from seed. Some gardeners use other methods to propagate Dichondra Silver Falls like stem cuttings.

Cut a stem from your plant and use rooting hormone before planting it into a container with moist soil. Simply place the rooted cutting back into its permanent location after it has grown a little in your container.