Prostrate False Pimpernel: A Low-Growing Ground Cover for Wet Areas
If you’re looking for a tough little ground cover that doesn’t mind getting its feet wet, you might want to get acquainted with prostrate false pimpernel (Lindernia procumbens). This small but mighty annual has quietly made itself at home in parts of the United States, though it’s not originally from around here.
What Exactly Is Prostrate False Pimpernel?
Prostrate false pimpernel is an annual forb—basically a non-woody plant that completes its entire life cycle in one growing season. True to its name, this little guy stays low to the ground, spreading out in a prostrate (lying flat) growth pattern rather than reaching for the sky. It’s part of that diverse group of plants we call herbs or forbs, which lack the woody stems of shrubs and trees but make up for it with their adaptability and quick growth.
Where You’ll Find It Growing
Originally from Southeast Asia, prostrate false pimpernel has established itself in Hawaii and Virginia, with the potential to pop up in other suitable locations. It’s what botanists call a naturalized plant—one that arrived from somewhere else but has figured out how to reproduce and persist on its own without human help.
The Wet Feet Connection
Here’s where things get interesting: this plant absolutely loves moisture. Across all the regions where it’s found—from the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain to the Eastern Mountains and Hawaii—prostrate false pimpernel carries a Facultative Wetland status. This means it usually hangs out in wetlands but can occasionally venture into drier areas if conditions are right.
What Does It Look Like?
Don’t expect dramatic garden theater from this one. Prostrate false pimpernel is more of a subtle supporting actor, featuring:
- Small, oval-shaped leaves arranged oppositely along the stems
- Tiny white to pale purple flowers that appear throughout the growing season
- A low, spreading growth habit that hugs the ground
- Delicate stems that root easily at the nodes where they touch soil
Should You Plant It in Your Garden?
The honest answer? It depends on what you’re trying to achieve. Prostrate false pimpernel isn’t going to win any beauty contests, but it does have some practical applications:
Consider it if: You have consistently moist to wet areas that need a low-maintenance ground cover, you’re creating a naturalized bog garden, or you need something that can handle occasional flooding.
Think twice if: You prefer showier plants, have dry garden conditions, or want to stick strictly to native species in your landscape.
Growing Conditions and Care
If you decide to give prostrate false pimpernel a try, here’s what it needs to thrive:
- Moisture: Consistent water is non-negotiable—think bog garden conditions
- Light: Partial shade to full sun, though it seems to prefer some protection from harsh afternoon sun
- Soil: Any soil type is fine as long as it stays moist to wet
- Climate: Likely hardy in USDA zones 8-11 based on its current distribution
The beauty of this plant (if you can call it that) is its low-maintenance nature. Once established in suitable conditions, it pretty much takes care of itself, self-seeding and spreading to form a modest groundcover.
Wildlife and Pollinator Value
While prostrate false pimpernel produces small flowers that may attract tiny pollinators like small bees and flies, it’s not going to be the star of your pollinator garden. Its wildlife value is fairly minimal compared to native alternatives.
Native Alternatives to Consider
Since prostrate false pimpernel isn’t native to North America, you might want to consider these native ground covers for wet areas instead:
- Wild ginger (Asarum canadense) for shaded wet spots
- Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia) – though check if this is actually native in your area
- Various native sedges (Carex species) for year-round interest
- Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) for pollinator value in wet areas
The Bottom Line
Prostrate false pimpernel is one of those plants that’s neither hero nor villain in the garden world. It’s a functional, if unspectacular, option for specific conditions where few other plants would thrive. While it’s not invasive or harmful, supporting native plants in your landscape is generally the better choice for local ecosystems. If you do encounter it growing wild in wet areas, you can appreciate it for what it is—a tough little survivor that’s found its niche in a new home.
