Midstorey

Browse plants / Convolvulaceae

Kidney weed Dichondra repens

When it flowers

Flowers are solitary on stalks 10-50 mm and have 5 small (about 2.5 mm long) hairy sepals and 5 similar sized, pale greenish-yellow petals.
Flowers are solitary on stalks 10-50 mm and have 5 small (about 2.5 mm long) hairy sepals and 5 similar sized, pale greenish-yellow petals.. Photo: Harry Rose from South West Rocks, Australia, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Flowers are solitary on stalks 10-50 mm and have 5 small (about 2.5 mm long) hairy sepals and 5 similar sized, pale greenish-yellow petals.
Flowers are solitary on stalks 10-50 mm and have 5 small (about 2.5 mm long) hairy sepals and 5 similar sized, pale greenish-yellow petals.. Photo: Harry Rose from South West Rocks, Australia, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Flowers are solitary on stalks 10-50 mm and have 5 small (about 2.5 mm long) hairy sepals and 5 similar sized, pale greenish-yellow petals.
Flowers are solitary on stalks 10-50 mm and have 5 small (about 2.5 mm long) hairy sepals and 5 similar sized, pale greenish-yellow petals.. Photo: Harry Rose from South West Rocks, Australia, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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Low, creeping groundcover with small kidney-shaped leaves, used as a shady lawn alternative.

A flat, spreading mat of small, round to kidney-shaped leaves found across Australia. It grows in sun or shade and takes light foot traffic, making it a soft lawn alternative in damp, shady areas.

In the garden

  • Pots and containers
  • Under trees
  • Lawn alternative
Attracts
Shelter for small wildlife
Flowers
Inconspicuous, tiny greenish-white flowers.
Leaves
Small, round to kidney-shaped, bright green leaves.

Growing conditions

Light
Full sun to full shade
Soil
Sandy, loam and clay
Drainage
Copes with occasional wet
Frost
Moderate frost
Water
Needs regular water
Climate
Subtropical, temperate and cool and alpine

Planting and care

Grown from
Seed and division

Planting

Part shade in moist soil. Plant plugs 20 cm apart or sow seed in spring.

Pruning

Mow high occasionally if used as a lawn.

Care

Keep moist through summer. A light feed in spring keeps it green.

Where it comes from

Family
Convolvulaceae
Order
Solanales
Native to
ACT, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia
Natural range
Forest, grassland and lawns across much of Australia.

Where to buy

Widely available.

We don't have stockists listed for this plant yet. Local native nurseries are often the best place to ask.

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