Hi all,
I’m struggling to keep my silver ponyfoot (Dichondra argentea) alive in a container (pic attached). Most of it looks dried up and crispy, though there are still a few green bits hanging on.
I’m confused about care:
• Should it be in full 100% sun or does it need some shade?
• How often should I water? Every day? Only when the soil is dry?
• Do I water directly on the plant or just at the soil/root level?
• I also mulched the top of the pot – is that making it harder for the runners to spread?
I’ve read it’s drought-tolerant once established, but I’m having trouble getting it to that point. Any tips to revive what’s left (or should I start fresh)?
Thanks in advance — would love to hear from anyone who has grown silver ponyfoot successfully!
by CosmicCrafter007
5 Comments
I love this stupid plant so much. I am having similar issues as you and struggling to keep mine alive. One in a hanging basket that looked like it totally died and is actually coming back. And another that is such a freaking primadonna day by day that I can’t tell if it’s getting too much water or not enough. I know they like water, but not being water logged. I don’t what that looks like. But I refuse to give up because I love this plant. I just wanted to say that you’re not alone. So I hope someone with more knowledge has answers for you!
I have several that I planted in spring. I mostly don’t water the ones that are in the ground at this point. The one that’s struggling most is the one I have in a container (I’m guessing the container dries out too fast), so I water it more often.
They all really thrived in spring for me, even in full sun. Grew like crazy. Now that it’s summer mine are hanging in there, but seem to prefer shade in the afternoon.
It is a thirsty plant in general. How often to water depends on the soil, but I’d let it dry out between waterings. I water mine (in the ground, but some are new) about once a week. It’s not picky about how you water it, and it does not mind its leaves getting wet. I don’t think the mulch is hurting you and you have bigger issues with the plant than the runners. This species has a unique quality in that it sometimes just fades out and the plant dies. I don’t let that discourage me from using it, but sometimes it will dry up and disappear and it’s nothing to do with the care. I just plant more. I have also had them fade to the roots and come back later.
If you just planted it in full sun it needs water every day if not twice a day currently. Just be careful up-potting to much larger pot could lead to root rot. It’s best case to get it established in shade with less frequent watering. Once established in a pot with full sun can get watered deeply 2-3 times per week. They get mushy in part shade, as long as it gets half day of sun this west Texas native is fine.
Adding up to 15% clay in pots will aid in moisture retention as potting mixes can be hydrophobic.
I have it in a mixed pot with coral bells (huechera), pink skullcap, and columbine. The Columbine didn’t handle the summer heat and gave up the ghost, that needs fall replacing, but the ponyfoot is thriving.
Soil is a growers mix amended with some compost and a bunch of expanded shale + fine gravel for drainage, which means I wind up watering frequently (like 3-4x/wk) but deeply, since it drains and dries quickly.
I’m morning sun/afternoon shade, and it’s loving life, enough that I’m setting multiple pots under its trailing stems to essentially layer a bunch of new plants, which I’ll cut away from the parent plant once they’re rooted – this one is happy enough that I think I can get half a dozen or more starts from it, which I have grand plans for. 🤷
I think your key may be soil and drainage – I got decent advice from the nursery re: don’t let it stay wet, but don’t let it dry out either, which I always found tricky until I fully committed to amending soil and adding drainage components.