Kummerowia: The Small But Mighty Non-Native Groundcover
If you’ve ever noticed tiny pink flowers dotting roadsides and disturbed areas across much of the United States, you might have encountered kummerowia. This small annual forb has quietly made itself at home in American landscapes, though it’s actually a traveler from far across the Pacific.
What Exactly Is Kummerowia?
Kummerowia is a delicate annual plant that belongs to the legume family. As a forb, it’s an herbaceous plant without woody stems, sporting fine-textured foliage and producing small, pea-like flowers that range from pink to purple. Don’t expect a showstopper here – this is more of a subtle, understated plant that tends to blend into the landscape rather than command attention.
Where You’ll Find It Growing
Originally from East Asia, kummerowia has established itself across a remarkable 32 states, from Alabama to Wisconsin and everywhere in between. It’s particularly common in the eastern United States, where it’s found growing in disturbed soils, roadsides, fields, and other open areas.
Should You Plant Kummerowia in Your Garden?
Here’s where things get interesting. While kummerowia isn’t officially classified as invasive, it’s definitely not native to North America. This puts it in a gray area for native plant enthusiasts. Let’s break down the pros and cons:
The Case FOR Kummerowia:
- Extremely low-maintenance once established
- Tolerates poor soils where other plants struggle
- Provides some pollinator value with its small flowers
- Self-seeds readily, filling in bare spots
- Drought-tolerant after establishment
The Case AGAINST Kummerowia:
- Not native, so it doesn’t support local ecosystems as well as native alternatives
- Can self-seed aggressively and become weedy
- Offers minimal aesthetic impact compared to native options
- Takes up space that could be occupied by native species
Growing Conditions and Care
If you do decide to work with kummerowia (or it shows up on its own), it’s refreshingly undemanding. This tough little plant thrives in USDA zones 5-9 and adapts to various conditions:
- Light: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil: Tolerates poor, compacted, or disturbed soils
- Water: Drought-tolerant once established
- Maintenance: Virtually none required
As an annual, kummerowia completes its life cycle in one growing season, but it self-seeds so readily that it often appears perennial in behavior.
Better Native Alternatives
While kummerowia has its merits, native plant enthusiasts might prefer these indigenous alternatives that provide similar benefits while supporting local wildlife:
- Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa): Native groundcover with showy flowers
- Partridge pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata): Native legume with bright yellow flowers
- Wild ginger (Asarum canadense): Native groundcover for shaded areas
- Pennsylvania sedge (Carex pensylvanica): Native grass-like groundcover
The Bottom Line
Kummerowia is one of those plants that exists in the gardening middle ground – not terrible, but not particularly exciting either. While it won’t harm your garden, it also won’t provide the ecological benefits that native alternatives offer. If you’re passionate about supporting local wildlife and ecosystems, you’ll probably want to pass on this one in favor of native groundcovers that pack more punch for pollinators and local fauna.
That said, if kummerowia has already established itself in your landscape and isn’t causing problems, there’s no urgent need to remove it. Just consider gradually replacing it with native alternatives as you redesign and replant your garden spaces.
