Australian Waterbuttons: A Low-Maintenance Groundcover with a Quirky Charm
If you’re looking for a plant that’s as unassuming as it is reliable, Australian waterbuttons might just catch your eye. This little annual has been quietly making itself at home in gardens and wild spaces across much of the United States, proving that sometimes the most understated plants can be surprisingly useful.
What Are Australian Waterbuttons?
Australian waterbuttons (Cotula australis) are small, mat-forming annual plants that belong to the daisy family. Don’t expect showy blooms though – these plants are all about subtle charm. Their tiny, button-like flower heads are greenish-yellow and barely noticeable, but that’s part of their appeal. This is a plant that works behind the scenes, quietly filling in gaps and creating a soft, textured carpet of foliage.
As a forb – essentially a non-woody flowering plant – Australian waterbuttons stay low to the ground and spread horizontally rather than reaching for the sky. They’re the kind of plant that might go unnoticed until you realize how perfectly they’ve filled in those tricky bare spots in your garden.
Where Do They Come From and Where Do They Grow?
Originally from Australia and New Zealand (hence the name), Australian waterbuttons have established themselves as non-native residents across a surprisingly wide range of American states. You’ll find them growing wild in Arizona, California, Florida, Hawaii, Maine, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Texas, and Utah.
This wide distribution tells you something important about these plants – they’re adaptable. Whether you’re dealing with the humid conditions of Florida or the arid landscapes of Arizona, Australian waterbuttons seem to figure out how to make it work.
The Garden Role: Humble but Useful
Australian waterbuttons excel as a low-maintenance groundcover, particularly in areas where you want something living but not necessarily eye-catching. They’re perfect for:
- Filling gaps between stepping stones or pavers
- Creating a soft carpet in naturalized garden areas
- Covering bare soil in informal garden settings
- Adding texture to moisture-retentive areas
These plants work best in casual, naturalized gardens rather than formal landscapes. Think cottage gardens, wildlife gardens, or those wonderful messy spaces where plants are allowed to mingle and self-seed freely.
Growing Conditions and Care
One of the most appealing things about Australian waterbuttons is their easy-going nature. They prefer moist to wet soils and can handle both full sun and partial shade – making them surprisingly versatile for such a small plant.
Here’s what they need to thrive:
- Moisture: Consistent soil moisture is key, though they can tolerate some variation
- Light: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil: Not picky about soil type, but prefers it on the moist side
- Climate: Hardy across a wide range of zones, roughly 3-10
Wetland Compatibility
Interestingly, Australian waterbuttons show different wetland preferences depending on where they’re growing. In most regions of the continental United States, they’re considered facultative, meaning they’re equally happy in wet or dry conditions. However, in Hawaii, they prefer upland areas and rarely occur in wetlands. This flexibility makes them useful for transitional areas in your landscape.
Planting and Maintenance
As self-seeding annuals, Australian waterbuttons pretty much take care of themselves once established. The plants will complete their life cycle in one growing season, but they’re usually reliable self-seeders, meaning you’ll likely see them return the following year without any effort on your part.
For new plantings, scatter seeds in moist soil in spring. Keep the area consistently moist until germination occurs. After that, these plants are remarkably low-maintenance – water during dry spells if you want to keep them looking their best, but they’re surprisingly drought-tolerant once established.
Wildlife and Pollinator Value
While Australian waterbuttons aren’t major pollinator magnets due to their tiny, inconspicuous flowers, they do provide some benefits to wildlife. Small insects may visit the flowers, and the seeds can provide food for birds. However, if supporting pollinators is a priority, you’ll want to complement these plants with more bee and butterfly-friendly species.
Should You Plant Australian Waterbuttons?
Australian waterbuttons occupy an interesting middle ground in the gardening world. They’re not native to North America, but they’re also not considered invasive or problematic. They’re simply naturalized residents that have found their niche without causing ecological disruption.
Consider planting them if you:
- Want low-maintenance groundcover for informal areas
- Need plants that can handle variable moisture conditions
- Appreciate subtle, textural plants over showy flowers
- Are creating naturalized or cottage-style gardens
However, if you’re passionate about native plant gardening, you might want to explore indigenous alternatives that provide similar groundcover benefits while supporting local ecosystems. Native sedges, wild strawberries, or regional groundcover plants might better serve your goals while providing superior habitat value.
Australian waterbuttons won’t win any beauty contests, but they’re reliable, adaptable, and refreshingly undemanding. Sometimes, that’s exactly what a garden needs.
