Plant profile
Kidney weed
Dichondra repens
A tiny-leaved native that makes a soft green carpet between pavers, beneath shrubs and through lightly used lawn areas. Creeping stems root at the nodes and gradually knit together.
- Grows well in
- Tropical, Subtropical, Temperate, Cool / mountains
- Lifecycle
- Perennial native groundcover
- Light
- Full sun, Part shade, Shade
- Mature size
- 2–5 cm high, spreading indefinitely
- Spacing
- Plant small divisions about 15–30 cm apart for faster cover.
- Growth habit
- Creeping perennial herb rooting at the nodes.
- Native range
- Widespread in Australia, including Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia.
- Natural habitat
- Forest, woodland and grassland, including naturally moist open ground.
When to plant
Tropical
March–August
Subtropical
March–August
Temperate
March–May
Cool / mountain
September–November
Plant during mild weather while you can provide reliable water for establishment. Autumn or spring suits temperate districts; in warmer subtropical gardens the cooler part of the year is often easier.
Planting
Plant small rooted pieces into prepared soil and press them firmly so the nodes make contact with the surface. For a lawn-like patch, remove aggressive grass and perennial weeds first because kidney weed is too low to compete with them during establishment. A fine mulch can be used between pieces, but thick bark makes it harder for creeping stems to reach soil and root. It is a better choice around stepping stones and lightly used areas than a main path.
Position and light
Part shade suits kidney weed very well. It also grows in sun where the soil stays reliably moist, and it can handle bright shade beneath open shrubs or trees.
Soil
It is adaptable, but grows best in soil that holds some moisture and organic matter without staying waterlogged. Good contact between the creeping stems and the soil helps new nodes root.
Watering
Keep it moist while the first pieces spread and root. Established mats handle short dry periods, but repeated drying thins the cover and slows the creeping stems.
Feeding
Established native groundcovers usually need little feeding. If growth is weak, use a light application of a low-phosphorus fertiliser suitable for Australian natives during active growth.
Pruning
Clip or lightly mow uneven patches to keep the surface tidy, and pull stems back from paths or garden edges when they spread farther than you want.
Propagation
Divide rooted pieces from an established mat, or pin short stem sections onto moist soil so the nodes can root. Keep new pieces moist until they have anchored themselves.
Common problems
Hot dry sun can thin or scorch the carpet, while prolonged saturation can cause patchy decline. Vigorous lawn grasses can overwhelm it before it establishes.
Worth knowing
It is often sold as a lawn alternative, but it suits occasional foot traffic better than a busy lawn. It is especially useful around stepping stones and beneath open shrubs.
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