Dichondra Argentea Silver Falls

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Convolvulaceae

Order

Solanales

Genus

Dichondra

Species

silvery

Description

An ornamental evergreen herbaceous plant prized for its drooping habit and silvery, delicately velvety foliage, which makes it suitable for adding elegance to planters and tubs as well as hanging baskets and vertical walls, even in compositions with other species. Easy to grow, it requires a well-draining substrate, sunny or semi-shady exposures and protection from the cold.

Varietal description

Perennial plant if kept not below 3-5 degrees. Very decorative due to its silver-coloured hanging foliage. Can be used as a drooping plant for basketry on balconies, but also for city basketry in public green spaces planted together with other plants, both spring and autumn. It can reach a length of 90-100 cm.

curiosity and special features

The name of the botanical genus, Dichondra, means grain due to the presence of two seeds in the capsule, while the specific epithet argentea derives from argentum meaning silver in reference to the colour shade of the foliage.

The leaves of Dichondra argentea are also often compared to silver coins.

Origin and Diffusion

Native species of the range extending from southeastern Arizona to southwestern Texas and Mexico, Colombia and Bolivia to northwestern Argentina and southeastern Brazil.

Flower size

Flower is Small.

Leaf

The leaves have the characteristic heart-shaped lamina.

Flowering period

late spring to summer for a duration of 30 to 40 days.

Leaf color

silverysolid colour that lends uniqueness to the plant.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 0.6 to 1.2 m, depending on the vegetative habitus of the plant.

Lifespan

Evergreenperennial whose lifespan depends on the climatic conditions present.

Suggested planting locations

Its developed habit and glossy foliage make it perfect for adding elegance and originality to balconies, hanging baskets, planters, vertical walls, outdoor tubs, borders.

Stem/stem

Herbaceous type plant; the variety has no thorns.

Flower

The flower has a simple shape and is small in size. The petals are solid-coloured. It flowers from late spring to summer, with a flowering period of between 30 and 40 days. It is not particularly attractive to pollinating insects.

Growth

Medium-vigorous Growth plant.

Plant habit

It develops a drooping habit that creates cascades of silvery foliage of significant ornamental value.

pH

The pH of the cultivation medium should be slightly acidic, with optimum values between 5.8 and 6.5.

soil preparation

Before transplanting in late spring into a flower bed or border, carry out light spading by removing any weeds, residues of previous crops and bulky stones, also chop up coarser clods for greater softness. Finally, add professional substrate to the surface to a height of approx. 5/10 cm and carefully level.

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sun exposure

Suitable for exposure in half shade, full sun.

Ideal climate and temperature

It prefers a warm and humid climate. The ideal temperature is between 16 and 25 °C. The vital temperature is between 3 and 38 °C.

Use

Widely revalued recently as a decorative herbaceous plant in:

Outdoor ornamental

Hardiness

A moderately hardy plant, it adapts well to hot summer climates by ensuring an adequate water supply.

Soil/medium

Use a well-draining, high-quality substrate for spring plants.

For use in beds or borders, the soil should be light, peaty and with good drainage capacity.

Maintenance

fairly easy

cultivation tips

The following specific cultivation measures and indications will enable better vegetative development:

Balanced fertilisation Avoid over-watering Keep the substrate dry at low temperatures Prefers warm and humid climate

Composition

Suitable as a decorative drooping plant in Composition with flowering Species such as Dipladenia and Zonal Geranium; also excellent in combination with Cyclamen in autumn.

planting

For use in flowerbeds or borders apply an average density of 8 plants per square metre. It is advisable to take the seedling out of its container without damaging the roots, and also to position it with the collar outside the soil surface.

Reproduction/Propagation

Propagation can be from seed.

Irrigation

Apply water directly to the substrate keeping the humidity constant but free from saturation.

Excessive and stagnant water causes the roots to rot abruptly.
Severe water stress, on the other hand, causes the basal part of the vegetation to yellow quickly.

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Fertilization

Apply a balanced fertiliser, specifically for ornamental plants, to the moist substrate and dilute it in the irrigation water. Fertilisation must be balanced as Dichondra argentea fears excess fertiliser, especially in conjunction with water stress.

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Edibility for humans

Non-edible.

advise 1

Watering the plant well in low temperatures, in the winter period you can even suspend watering for several weeks. In spring, the vegetation at the edge of the pot can be cut back.