Mudmats: The Tiny Groundcover Making Big Waves in Water Gardens
If you’ve been searching for a unique groundcover that thrives in wet conditions, you might want to get acquainted with mudmats (Glossostigma diandrum). This diminutive plant has been quietly winning over water gardeners with its carpet-like growth and adaptability to both submerged and emerged conditions.
What Exactly Are Mudmats?
Mudmats are small, creeping herbaceous plants that belong to the forb family – meaning they’re non-woody plants that lack significant thickening by secondary growth. These little green machines can function as both annuals and perennials, depending on your climate and growing conditions. True to their name, they form dense, mat-like carpets that can cover wet soil or shallow water surfaces.
Where Do Mudmats Come From?
Originally hailing from Australia and New Zealand, mudmats have found their way into water gardens and bog plantings around the world. While they’re not native to North America, they’ve proven to be well-behaved garden residents in many regions.
The Visual Appeal
Don’t expect towering drama from mudmats – their charm lies in subtlety. These plants produce tiny, oval leaves that create a lush, green carpet effect. During their flowering period, they surprise gardeners with delicate white blooms that seem almost too large for such a petite plant. The overall effect is reminiscent of a living green rug that can transform muddy pond edges into appealing landscape features.
Garden Role and Landscape Uses
Mudmats excel as:
- Groundcover for consistently wet areas
- Marginal aquatic plants for pond edges
- Carpet plants in bog gardens
- Living mulch around water features
- Erosion control on wet slopes
They’re particularly valuable in water gardens, rain gardens, and areas where traditional groundcovers would struggle with excess moisture.
Growing Conditions and Care
Mudmats are refreshingly straightforward to grow, provided you meet their one non-negotiable requirement: consistent moisture. Here’s what they need:
- Moisture: Constantly wet to saturated soil, or shallow standing water
- Light: Full sun to partial shade (more sun typically means denser growth)
- Soil: Any soil type, as long as it stays wet
- Hardiness: Generally suitable for USDA zones 7-11
Planting and Maintenance Tips
Getting started with mudmats is relatively simple:
- Plant in spring after the last frost
- Space plants about 6 inches apart for faster coverage
- Keep soil consistently saturated – never let it dry out
- In colder zones, provide winter protection or treat as annuals
- Trim back if growth becomes too aggressive for your space
The good news? Once established, mudmats spread naturally through runners, filling in gaps and creating that coveted carpet effect.
Wildlife and Pollinator Benefits
While mudmats may not be the showiest pollinator magnets, their small white flowers can attract tiny beneficial insects. The dense mat they form also provides shelter for small amphibians and beneficial ground-dwelling creatures in wet garden areas.
Should You Plant Mudmats?
Mudmats could be perfect for you if:
- You have consistently wet areas that need groundcover
- You’re creating a water garden or bog garden
- You want a low-maintenance solution for pond margins
- You appreciate subtle, carpet-like plants over dramatic specimens
However, since mudmats aren’t native to North America, you might also consider native alternatives like creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia) for wet areas, or region-specific native sedges and rushes that provide similar groundcover benefits while supporting local ecosystems.
The Bottom Line
Mudmats offer a unique solution for wet garden areas where traditional plants fear to tread. While they may not be native to North America, they’re well-behaved garden residents that can solve specific landscape challenges. Just remember – if you’re looking to maximize benefits for local wildlife, exploring native wetland plants alongside or instead of mudmats might give you the best of both worlds: solved landscape problems and enhanced ecological value.
