Nakedstem Carpetweed: A Lesser-Known Forb with Caribbean Roots
Meet nakedstem carpetweed (Mollugo nudicaulis var. nudicaulis), a rather mysterious little plant that’s probably not on your typical gardening wishlist—and there’s a good reason for that! This unassuming forb has quite the identity crisis when it comes to gardening, and we’re here to help you understand why.
What Exactly Is Nakedstem Carpetweed?
Nakedstem carpetweed is a forb, which is just a fancy way of saying it’s a soft-stemmed plant without woody tissue—think of it as the herbaceous cousin in the plant world. Unlike trees or shrubs that develop thick, woody stems, this little guy stays soft and flexible throughout its life. It can be either an annual or perennial, meaning it might stick around for just one growing season or come back year after year, depending on conditions.
Where Does It Call Home?
Here’s where things get interesting! Nakedstem carpetweed is a bit of a geographic puzzle. While it’s native to some pretty exotic Caribbean locations—Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Navassa Island—it’s also managed to establish itself as a non-native resident in Maryland. This means it’s naturalizing in areas where it didn’t originally grow, spreading and reproducing on its own without human help.
Should You Plant It in Your Garden?
Well, here’s the thing—there’s surprisingly little information available about growing nakedstem carpetweed intentionally in gardens. This suggests it’s not exactly a garden center darling or a landscaper’s go-to choice. While it’s not listed as invasive or noxious, the lack of cultivation information tells us it’s probably not the most garden-worthy plant out there.
Since detailed growing conditions, care requirements, and hardiness zones for this specific variety are largely unknown, it would be challenging to grow it successfully even if you wanted to give it a try.
Better Native Alternatives
If you’re looking for interesting forbs to add to your garden, consider exploring native alternatives that are better suited to your local ecosystem. Native plants not only support local wildlife and pollinators but also tend to be much easier to grow since they’re adapted to your regional conditions.
Some excellent native forb options to consider instead might include:
- Local wildflowers native to your specific region
- Native groundcovers that provide similar low-growing coverage
- Indigenous herbaceous perennials that support local pollinators
The Bottom Line
Nakedstem carpetweed falls into that curious category of plants that exist in the wild but haven’t made the leap to mainstream gardening—and probably for good reason. With so little known about its cultivation requirements and garden performance, you’re better off focusing your green thumb energy on well-documented native plants that will thrive in your garden and support your local ecosystem.
Sometimes the most interesting gardening stories are about the plants we choose not to grow, and nakedstem carpetweed might just be one of those intriguing botanical footnotes that’s better appreciated from a distance!
