How Hardy Is Dichondra Silver Falls?
Where is Dichondra Silver Falls native to? Dichondra Silver Falls (Dichondra Argentea), commonly known as Ponysfoot, Silver Nickle Vine, Silver Pony-foot, or Mexican Dichondra, is an herbaceous perennial with cascading/creeping growth habit. It is endemic to Central America and is a member of the Convolvulaceae, or morning glory family. It has a tendency to creep…
Where is Dichondra Silver Falls native to?
Dichondra Silver Falls (Dichondra Argentea), commonly known as Ponysfoot, Silver Nickle Vine, Silver Pony-foot, or Mexican Dichondra, is an herbaceous perennial with cascading/creeping growth habit. It is endemic to Central America and is a member of the Convolvulaceae, or morning glory family.
It has a tendency to creep and trail. Dichondra Silver Falls was recently introduced in Europe and North America, where it is now commonly cultivated in the garden.
It produces small white flowers with purplish-pink tips and a pleasant scent. They can either be used as an indoor plant or a groundcover.
How hardy is Dichondra Silver Falls?
Dichondra Silver Falls is hardy to USDA Hardiness Zones 7-10 in full sun. It is susceptible to frost damage and prefers hot conditions in the summer. Dichondra Silver Falls should be grown in well-drained soil and protected from prolonged frost with an over-winter blanket.
They dislike frozen conditions, and will not set seed if exposed to below 0 degrees Fahrenheit for extended periods. Dichondra Silver Falls should be grown indoors as a houseplant in cooler climates, as it is unsuitable for outdoor conditions.
The temperature and duration that the seed germinates depends on the seed species. It is difficult to determine how long it takes for seeds to germinate because of this.
Dichondra Silver Falls generally grows slowly, sometimes sprouting from its base as a small plant. It prefers well drained soil and regular watering at the beginning of the season. Once established, this plant can grow up to about 30 inches tall.
Is Dichondra Silver Falls drought resistant?
Dichondra Silver Falls should be watered with a weak fertilizer solution in the summer. They can withstand mild drought conditions if kept well watered. During warm periods, however, they prefer regular watering so that their roots are not allowed to dry out completely.
They are also not tolerant of prolonged sub-zero temperatures. Dichondra Silver Falls are sensitive to wet feet so misting them frequently is a good idea.
Dichondra Silver Falls can be grown in a variety of soil types and will thrive in almost any type of soil, as long as it is sandy loam or loam and is rich in organic matter. Airy, porous soils and acidic soils (6-7.5) are also ideal for growing Dichondra Silver Falls.
Is Dichondra Silver Falls edible?
Dichondra Silver Falls is not edible because the leaves have been used in infusions for medicinal purposes, and the fruit is edible, but the seeds contain poisonous substances. Dichondra Silver Falls can cause irritation and allergic reactions in people.
It can also cause ulcers on skin and mucous membranes if ingested. The sap has been reported to cause nausea, vomiting, liver damage, kidney damage and diarrhea when ingested or absorbed into the skin. Pets are particularly susceptible to toxicity from seeds in the leaves of this plant.
Dichondra Silver Falls can cause gastrointestinal irritation, vomiting, and diarrhea. Dichondra Silver Falls contains a protein called gynogenic glycoside, which is a toxic substance released when that plant is burned.
Are Dichondra Silver Falls pollinated by butterflies?
There are no confirmed information on what types of bees or other insects visit Dichondra Silver Falls plants. Its flowers do not have any special nectar glands that attract insects in order to make it a favorite plant for pollination as most flowers do.
Dichondra Silver Falls flowers are white and small, and are most often found on the tips of the stems or in corners of the leaves. The long stamens do not have pollen on them to attract insects, but butterflies may be present near plants.
Flowers do not open quickly and usually close until the evening. Butterflies have a very keen sense of smell that attracts them to the small, attractive flowers. The plants are reported to be pollinated by beetles when grown in the tropics.
The plant is so small that even ants may provide some form of pollination, as they are attracted to sweet nectar at the base of the flowers.
What do Dichondra Silver Falls look like?
The plant can be grown in a variety of colors and has long, trailing stems. The leaves are light green and a little twisted around the stem. Dichondra Silver Falls can grow up to about 30 inches tall. They usually grow well in containers, as long as the container is adequately deep and the soil does not dry out easily.
Keep the soil moist at all times with a weekly watering schedule or mist them regularly with water from the hose. Dichondra Silver Falls can also be planted in the ground. They should be planted in well-drained soil and are best suited for containers and planters.
The leaves are used in garlands and the flowers are used for adornment. Dichondra Silver Falls can also be trained as bonsai. Dichondra Silver Falls can either be used as an indoor plant or a groundcover. It is not suited for full sun, but tolerates shade.
It can survive some frost, but is typically grown indoors in cooler climates because it requires warm conditions and well-drained soil. The seeds need longer to germinate than most other plants and take a long time to grow, so it is not recommended for beginners.
How can I propagate Dichondra Silver Falls from seed?
Dichondra Silver Falls seeds are difficult to sprout and might take two years or more to germinate in your garden. Seed-to-seed propagation is especially difficult because Dichondra Silver Falls does not shed its seeds easily.
The following are the procedures when propagating Dichondra Silver Falls from seeds;
- Clean the seeds and remove the dried, outer coating.
- Place the seeds on a moist paper towel or in a glass of water for 24 hours, making sure that they have plenty of air circulation.
- Put them in a fridge for about 8 hours or until they are just beginning to germinate, then place them on top of moist paper towels or at the bottom of a glass dish filled with water (a humidity tray).
- Before rooting, ensure that your soil is very moist and free from any contaminations.
- After the seeds have germinated, remove the paper towels and place your seeds in a shallow dish filled with moist soil.
- Leave them to root for about 2-4 weeks or until all have begun to root, then transplant them into a half-filled, shallow container with fresh soil.
- Water them with a weak fertilizer solution twice a week.
- If the seeds do not germinate, repeat steps 1 to 7 until successful.
- When the plant is large enough, transplant it into its own container filled with well-drained soil.
- It is best to transplant the plant when it is between 8 and 12 inches tall, making sure not to disturb its roots.
Does Dichondra Silver Falls like sun?
Assure that the pot is large enough to accommodate the plant’s growth, or be prepared to prune it back as needed. Choose a location that receives some direct sunshine during the day, since Silver Falls prefers partial shade to full sun.
Dichondra Silver Falls will tolerate partial shade. Although it prefers a slightly acidic soil, it can survive in slightly alkaline soil (pH 7) if the pH is maintained at approximately 7.0. It is hardy in USDA zones 4 through 10, but may be damaged by frost at temperatures below 35 F.
If you live in a more cold-winter climate, consider growing Dichondra Silver Falls indoors during the winter months from indoors grown seeds or cuttings.
Sunlight is not necessary for Dichondra Silver Falls to thrive, but it will grow consistently in partial shade, and can become sturdier with time.
Is Dichondra a Dichondra Silver Falls?
Dichondra ‘Silver Falls’ is a trailing plant with silver leaves that are oval in form. It’s an excellent tough ground cover plant for cascading over walls and rockeries. It’s also a wonderful choice for hanging baskets, since the long tendrils provide an eye-catching display.
Dichondra ‘Silver Falls’ produces small flowers in white, pink, or purplish hues. Dichondra Silver Falls is fairly slow growing, reaching a height of about 6 to 18 inches after 2 years.
Dichondra Silver Falls does best in well-drained soil. Plants can tolerate some drought and are not fussy about their soil’s pH.
An alternative is to raise the plants indoors during winter months, when they do not require any direct sunlight and the temperatures do not reach the freezing point.
Water the soil of Dichondra Silver Falls almost every day, so that it stays moist. Do not over-water the plant or it will become too mushy and limp.
Does Dichondra Silver Falls grow best in a container?
Dichondra Silver Falls requires little maintenance. It grows well in containers, but is smaller and fares better in pots that are at least two times larger than the plant itself. The roots are able to grow more freely in their container if they are larger than the plant itself.
Dichondra Silver Falls can tolerate most soils and does not require too much water. The root system is also able to withstand droughts without dealing any damage to the plant. Dichondra Silver Falls is also a good soil stabilizer for slopes and embankments in the garden.