Ponysfoot: The Unique Groundcover That’s Taking Gardens by Storm
If you’re tired of traditional grass lawns and looking for something a little different, let me introduce you to ponysfoot (Dichondra). This quirky little groundcover has been quietly winning over gardeners with its carpet-like appearance and surprisingly low-maintenance nature. But before you jump on the ponysfoot bandwagon, let’s dig into what makes this plant tick and whether it’s right for your garden.
What Exactly is Ponysfoot?
Ponysfoot is a perennial forb – basically a non-woody plant that comes back year after year. What makes it special is its growth habit: instead of growing tall, it spreads horizontally, creating a dense mat of small, kidney-shaped leaves that look almost like tiny lily pads scattered across the ground. The leaves are typically about the size of a penny (hence one of its common names), giving your landscape a distinctive, almost whimsical appearance.
Unlike traditional grass, ponysfoot doesn’t grow upright. Instead, it hugs the ground, rarely reaching more than 2-3 inches in height while spreading several feet wide. This makes it an excellent alternative for areas where you want green coverage without the vertical growth.
Where Does Ponysfoot Come From?
Here’s where things get interesting from a native gardening perspective. Ponysfoot isn’t native to the lower 48 United States. It’s been introduced and now grows wild in many states, reproducing on its own without human help. You can find it established in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Puerto Rico.
While it’s not considered invasive or noxious in most areas, it’s worth noting that this is a non-native plant. If you’re committed to native-only gardening, you might want to consider native groundcover alternatives like wild strawberry, creeping phlox, or native sedges instead.
Why Gardeners Love (and Sometimes Struggle With) Ponysfoot
Ponysfoot has some genuinely appealing qualities that make it attractive to gardeners:
- Extremely low maintenance once established
- Drought tolerant, requiring minimal watering
- Creates a unique, soft carpet-like appearance
- Works well as a grass alternative in small areas
- Perfect for filling gaps between stepping stones
- Rarely needs mowing (though you can if desired)
However, it’s not without its challenges. Ponysfoot can be slow to establish, and it doesn’t handle heavy foot traffic as well as traditional grass. It also provides minimal benefits to pollinators – while it does produce tiny flowers, they’re so small and inconspicuous that they offer little value to bees and butterflies.
Growing Ponysfoot Successfully
If you decide ponysfoot is right for your garden, here’s how to grow it successfully:
Climate and Hardiness
Ponysfoot thrives in USDA hardiness zones 7-11. If you live in a colder climate, it likely won’t survive your winters outdoors.
Growing Conditions
This groundcover is refreshingly unfussy about its growing conditions:
- Light: Full sun to partial shade (though it performs best with some sun)
- Soil: Well-draining soil is essential – it hates soggy conditions
- Water: Drought tolerant once established, but needs regular water during establishment
- Maintenance: Very low once established
Planting and Care Tips
Getting ponysfoot established requires a bit of patience, but it’s worth the wait:
- Plant in spring when the soil has warmed
- Space plants 6-12 inches apart for eventual full coverage
- Water regularly during the first growing season to help establishment
- Once established, water deeply but infrequently
- Fertilize lightly in spring if desired, though it’s not necessary
- Can be mowed occasionally if you want a more uniform appearance
Is Ponysfoot Right for Your Garden?
Ponysfoot works best in specific situations. Consider it if you:
- Live in a warm climate (zones 7-11)
- Want a low-maintenance groundcover
- Have areas with light foot traffic
- Appreciate unique, non-traditional landscaping
- Need something for rock gardens or modern landscape designs
Skip ponysfoot if you:
- Live in a cold climate
- Need heavy-duty groundcover for high-traffic areas
- Are strictly focused on native plants
- Want significant pollinator benefits from your groundcover
The Bottom Line
Ponysfoot is an interesting groundcover option that can work well in the right situation. While it’s not native to most of the United States, it’s also not considered problematic in most areas where it grows. If you’re drawn to its unique appearance and low-maintenance nature, and you live in an appropriate climate, it could be a fun addition to your landscape.
Just remember – if supporting native ecosystems is a priority for you, there are plenty of native groundcover alternatives that can provide similar benefits while also supporting local wildlife. Whatever you choose, the most important thing is that it works for your specific garden conditions and goals.
