How to Grow Dichondra 'Silver Falls'
Wikimedia Commons
Dichondra 'Silver Falls'
Dichondra argentea 'Silver Falls'
vineDichondra 'Silver Falls' is a tender perennial trailing vine prized for its delicate, silvery-gray foliage and graceful cascading growth habit. The tiny, coin-shaped leaves create an ethereal, shimmering effect perfect for hanging baskets, containers, and as a ground cover in warm climates. It is grown as an annual in cooler regions and perennially in frost-free zones.
When should you plant Dichondra 'Silver Falls' in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Dichondra 'Silver Falls' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Dichondra 'Silver Falls'
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
Harvest Dichondra 'Silver Falls'
Around May 17≈ 30 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Dichondra 'Silver Falls' dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives year-round in zones 10-11; grown as annual in zones 3-9
Sign up free to see if Dichondra 'Silver Falls' grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Dichondra 'Silver Falls' timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
1-2 weeksTiny seedlings emerge with minimal cotyledons and first small, silvery-tinged leaves
Keep soil moist and warm (70-75°F). Provide bright, indirect light. Avoid overwatering to prevent damping off.
Vegetative Growth
3-5 weeksRapid expansion of delicate, coin-shaped foliage; stems begin trailing or spreading; silvery coloration becomes more pronounced
Increase light to full sun gradually. Maintain consistent moisture. Feed biweekly with balanced, diluted fertilizer. Pinch stems occasionally to encourage bushier growth if desired.
Trailing/Cascading
4-8 weeks onwardPlant develops long, graceful trailing stems with abundant silvery foliage, creating full, flowing cascades from hanging baskets or mounding ground cover
Continue regular watering and feeding. Deadhead any insignificant flowers to redirect energy to foliage. Reduce pinching to allow unobstructed trailing.
Flowering (Minor)
Sporadic throughout growing seasonTiny, inconspicuous pale yellow or white flowers appear along stems; ornamental value is negligible
Flowers are not the main attraction; remove if desired to maintain focus on silvery foliage and form. Self-seeds readily in warm climates.
Dormancy/End of Season
Varies by zoneIn zones 3-9, foliage dies back with frost. In frost-free zones, plant may slow growth in winter but retain foliage.
In cold climates, harvest cuttings to propagate indoors before first frost, or treat as annual and replant next season. In warm zones, reduce watering in winter but do not allow to dry out completely.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Spray with water to dislodge; use insecticidal soap or neem oil if severe. Increase humidity around plants.
-
Remove with cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil weekly until resolved.
-
Use yellow sticky traps to monitor and trap. Apply neem oil or insecticidal soap to undersides of foliage.
-
Spray with strong water stream or insecticidal soap. Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs.
Uses
Ornamental Hanging Baskets & Containers
HouseholdThe trailing silvery foliage makes Dichondra 'Silver Falls' a stunning choice for hanging baskets, window boxes, and mixed container plantings. Its fine texture and cool metallic color beautifully complement warm-colored flowering plants and provides elegant visual contrast. [source]
Ground Cover & Landscape Design
HouseholdIn warm climates (zones 10-11), Dichondra 'Silver Falls' serves as a low-maintenance, attractive ground cover for shaded areas, slopes, and difficult-to-fill garden spaces. It creates a soft, silvery carpet that softens hardscape edges. [source]
Cut Foliage for Floral Arrangements
CraftThe delicate, silvery stems and foliage are excellent for adding texture and a cooling effect to fresh flower arrangements, wreaths, and mixed bouquets. [source]
Pollinator-Friendly Planting
WildlifeAlthough flowers are inconspicuous, Dichondra provides light shelter for beneficial insects and pollinators in garden spaces. The dense foliage can offer refuge for small beneficial creatures. [source]
Indoor Houseplant (Bright Locations)
HouseholdIn cooler climates, Dichondra 'Silver Falls' can be grown as a tender houseplant on bright windowsills or under grow lights, providing year-round silvery foliage indoors before moving to outdoor containers in summer. [source]
Harvest Tips
Dichondra 'Silver Falls' is not harvested for crops. Prune or pinch back stems anytime during the growing season to maintain shape and encourage bushier growth. Take cuttings year-round for propagation; root easily in water or moist soil. In cold zones, take cuttings in late summer to overwinter indoors and replant the following spring.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Dichondra 'Silver Falls' gets its common name 'Silver Falls' from the shimmering, silvery appearance of its tiny, waxy leaves, which have a fine coating of hairs that reflects light and gives the cascading foliage an almost metallic sheen.
- 🌱 Despite its delicate appearance, Dichondra 'Silver Falls' is remarkably drought-tolerant once established in the ground in warm climates, making it an excellent choice for low-water gardens and water-wise landscaping.
- 🌱 In warm regions, Dichondra can self-seed prolifically, and it is sometimes used as an ornamental lawn alternative or native ground cover in southwestern U.S. gardens, though it may be considered invasive in some areas.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Dichondra 'Silver Falls' planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Dichondra 'Silver Falls' seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.
Get my Dichondra 'Silver Falls' timeline →