Dichondra Repens Seeds

DICHONDRA REPENS Seeds

Botanical Name: Dichondra repens

Dichondra repens is a low-growing, perennial groundcover valued for its dense mat-forming habit, shallow fibrous root system, and ability to protect and improve soil surfaces. While commonly used as a living groundcover rather than a traditional green manure, dichondra plays an important role in weed suppression, moisture conservation, and soil stabilisation. It is particularly well suited to orchards, pathways, no-dig gardens, and regenerative systems where permanent living cover is preferred over seasonal incorporation.

• Low-growing perennial groundcover that forms a dense mat to suppress weeds.
• Fibrous root system helps stabilise soil and reduce erosion.
• Improves moisture retention by shading soil and reducing evaporation.
• Can be slashed or lightly mulched to add organic matter at the soil surface.
• Ideal for orchards, garden paths, no-dig beds, and regenerative landscapes.

Plant Details:

• Plant Type: Perennial groundcover and living soil cover
• Growth Height: 3–8 cm high, spreading widely
• Frost Tolerance: Moderate — tolerates light frosts once established

Sowing Information:

• Sow When:
  Temperate: Spring–Autumn
  Subtropical: Autumn–Spring
  Tropical: Cooler months
  Cool: Late Spring–Summer
  Arid: After rainfall or with irrigation
• Germination: 7–21 days depending on temperature and moisture
• Depth: Surface sow or very lightly cover — 0–0.5 cm
• Position: Full sun to partial shade
• Sow Where: Broadcast over prepared soil, between trees, along paths, or under taller crops
• Soil Type: Well-drained soils preferred; adapts to loam, sandy, and light clay soils
• Spacing: Broadcast at 0.5–1 g/m² for groundcover establishment

Sowing Rate

• Home gardens & beds: 0.5–1 g per m² for even groundcover establishment.
• Lawns, orchards & pathways: 5–10 kg per hectare depending on desired density.
• Dense living mulch: Up to 15 kg per hectare for rapid soil coverage.

Seed Quantity Guide

• 50 g covers approx. 50–100 m²
• 100 g covers approx. 100–200 m²
• 1 kg covers approx. 0.1–0.2 hectares
• 10 kg covers approx. 1–2 hectares

Management:

• Keep soil evenly moist during establishment; avoid drying out in early stages.
• Trim or slash lightly if growth becomes too dense or encroaches on crops.
• Leave clippings in place as surface mulch to feed soil biology.
• Best used as a permanent living mulch rather than incorporated green manure.

Soil Benefits and Use:

Rather than being dug in, Dichondra repens functions as a living groundcover that continuously protects soil, feeds microbial life through root exudates, and moderates soil temperature. In regenerative and no-dig systems, it reduces disturbance while maintaining year-round soil cover. It is especially effective under fruit trees, around raised beds, and in mixed plantings where erosion control and weed suppression are priorities.

When to Sow Dichondra Repens in Your Climate

Quick Growing Guide