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How to Grow Brass Buttons

Brass Buttons

Cotula leptinella

flower

Brass buttons is a low-growing, creeping perennial groundcover native to New Zealand, known for its delicate, finely divided fern-like foliage and tiny golden-yellow button flowers. It forms dense mats and is prized for rock gardens, borders, and between pavers. The plant is evergreen in mild climates and provides year-round ornamental interest.

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Example Brass Buttons timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Brass Buttons

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. First Brass Buttons blooms

    Around Jun 16

    ≈ 60 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Brass Buttons dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun to partial shade; prefers 6+ hours of direct sunlight daily
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Water: Moderate water needs; prefers consistently moist but not waterlogged soil. Drought-tolerant once established. Reduce watering in winter.
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Spacing: 6-12 inches
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Days to maturity: 60-90 days to flowering from transplant
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Planting depth: Surface sow seeds; keep transplants at soil level

Soil

Type: Well-draining sandy or gravelly soil
pH: 6.0-7.0
Amendments:
sand gravel perlite compost

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 6-9; marginal in zone 5 with winter protection

5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a

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Growth Stages

1

Seedling

2-3 weeks

Tiny seedlings with first true leaves appearing; very delicate foliage.

Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy. Provide bright, indirect light. Thin seedlings to proper spacing.

2

Establishment

4-6 weeks

Plant develops characteristic fern-like foliage and begins creeping growth; forms low rosettes.

Water regularly to encourage spreading. Avoid overwatering which causes root rot. Allow air circulation.

3

Vegetative Growth

6-10 weeks

Mat expands outward with denser foliage coverage; plant becomes more robust.

Minimal fertilizer needed; too much causes excessive leaf growth at expense of flowers. Can be trimmed to shape.

4

Flowering

8-12 weeks or longer

Abundant tiny golden-yellow button-like flowers appear above the foliage, resembling miniature pompoms.

Deadheading encourages prolonged flowering. Maintain consistent moisture without waterlogging.

5

Maintenance

Ongoing

Established groundcover continues blooming; may be cut back in fall or early spring to refresh growth.

Divide crowded clumps in spring. Apply winter mulch in zone 5. Remove dead growth in spring.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Sedum Creeping thyme Sempervivum Dianthus Alpine phlox Creeping jenny Saxifrage

Avoid planting near:

Plants requiring consistently wet soil Tall aggressive spreaders that shade groundcovers

Common Pests

  • and

    Hand-pick, use beer traps, apply diatomaceous earth, or use slug barriers around plantings

  • Improve air circulation, reduce overhead watering, apply sulfur spray if needed

  • Increase humidity by misting, spray with neem oil, ensure adequate water

Uses

🌿

Rock Garden & Alpine Trough Groundcover

Ornamental

Brass buttons is excellent for rock gardens, alpine troughs, and between paving stones where its delicate foliage and golden flowers create visual interest in small spaces. Its low-growing habit makes it ideal for ornamental borders and edging. [source]

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Pollinator Attraction

Wildlife

The tiny golden flowers attract small pollinators, bees, and beneficial insects, making it valuable in wildlife gardens and pollinator-friendly landscapes. [source]

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Dried Flower Crafts

Household

The golden-yellow button flowers can be dried for use in floral arrangements, wreaths, and dried flower crafts, retaining their color and shape well. [source]

Harvest Tips

Not typically harvested, but flowers can be cut for arrangements. Pinch back stems in early season to encourage bushier, denser growth and more flowering.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Brass buttons is native to New Zealand and was named for its resemblance to small brass buttons or coins.
  • 🌱 Despite its delicate appearance, it is surprisingly tough and tolerant of poor soil conditions, making it excellent for challenging areas.
  • 🌱 In New Zealand, it is also called leptinella or New Zealand brass buttons and has been used traditionally in alpine gardens for centuries.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Deadhead Full Sun Mulch Partial Shade Perennial Pinch Back True Leaves
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