{"id":81804,"date":"2025-08-13T12:02:10","date_gmt":"2025-08-13T05:02:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/monsteraholic.com\/?p=81804"},"modified":"2025-08-13T12:02:10","modified_gmt":"2025-08-13T05:02:10","slug":"dichondra-repens-kidney-weed-lawn-leaf","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/monsteraholic.com\/vi\/dichondra-repens-kidney-weed-lawn-leaf\/","title":{"rendered":"Dichondra Repens – Kidney Weed – Lawn Leaf"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"|\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve spent years working with ground covers in my garden, and Dichondra Repens<\/em> has always been one of those plants that sparks both curiosity and debate. Also known as kidney weed or lawn leaf, it’s a low-growing perennial with small, round leaves. In this article, I\u2019ll dive into the most frequently asked questions I\u2019ve encountered about Dichondra Repens<\/em>, based on personal experience and some hard-earned trial and error.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Get Rid of Dichondra Repens?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s be honest\u2014Dichondra Repens<\/em> is a love-it-or-hate-it type of ground cover. If it’s invading your lawn or garden bed, getting rid of it requires consistency. What\u2019s worked best for me:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • Manual removal<\/strong>: This is effective for small patches. Its creeping habit makes it easy to pull out, roots and all, after watering.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Selective herbicides<\/strong>: Products containing MCPA or dicamba target broadleaf weeds like Dichondra. Be cautious\u2014these can harm nearby ornamentals.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Smothering<\/strong>: In garden beds, I\u2019ve laid thick mulch or black plastic over it to block light for a few weeks.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Persistence is key. It doesn\u2019t go away overnight, especially if it’s well-established.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    How to Plant Dichondra Repens Seeds?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    I\u2019ve had great success growing Dichondra Repens<\/em> from seed, especially in warm, well-drained areas. Here\u2019s my planting method:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    1. Soil Prep<\/strong>: Rake and loosen the top layer of soil. Remove any weeds or debris.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Sow Lightly<\/strong>: Scatter the seeds evenly, but don\u2019t bury them too deep. A light raking is enough to cover them slightly.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Water Gently<\/strong>: Keep the area moist, but not soggy. Water with a fine mist to avoid washing seeds away.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    4. Germination Time<\/strong>: Seeds usually sprout within 7\u201314 days under ideal conditions\u2014around 21\u201325\u00b0C (70\u201377\u00b0F).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      This plant loves filtered sun or part shade, making it perfect for under trees or shaded walkways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Is Dichondra Repens Edible?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      I\u2019ve been asked this many times, especially by people who focus on foraging or edible landscaping. Technically, Dichondra Repens<\/em> is not considered edible<\/strong>. There\u2019s little to no culinary or medicinal history surrounding its use. Ingesting it in large amounts could lead to gastrointestinal discomfort, especially since its biochemical makeup hasn’t been studied thoroughly for human consumption. I wouldn\u2019t recommend it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Is Dichondra Repens Invasive?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      This depends on where you live. In my garden, Dichondra Repens<\/em> behaves well when maintained. However, in some climates, especially with ample water and warmth, it can spread aggressively and smother native plants. It\u2019s not listed as a noxious weed<\/strong>, but its creeping stolons can run wild if unchecked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      I manage its growth by mowing or trimming the edges every few weeks. When used intentionally, it fills gaps beautifully. Left alone, it might overstep its welcome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Is Dichondra Repens Poisonous to Dogs?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      As a pet owner, I had to be sure. Thankfully, Dichondra Repens<\/em> is not toxic to dogs<\/strong> or other pets. My dog often lounges on patches of it without any issues. Still, I don\u2019t allow chewing or digging, not because it\u2019s toxic, but because I don\u2019t want muddy paw prints everywhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Does Dichondra Repens Stay Green in Winter?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      In my experience, this plant remains green year-round<\/strong> in mild and temperate climates. That\u2019s one reason I love using it as a lawn substitute. Even during light frosts, it keeps its color and form, though growth slows. In colder regions, it might die back or lose vibrancy, but usually rebounds in spring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Dichondra Repens vs Silver Falls<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      This is where confusion often arises. While both are Dichondra<\/em> species, they serve different purposes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      • Dichondra Repens<\/strong>: Green, low-growing, ground-hugging, and more shade-tolerant. I use it for lawn alternatives or under trees.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Silver Falls (Dichondra argentea)<\/strong>: Silvery, trailing, and drought-tolerant. I\u2019ve used this one in hanging baskets and cascading over walls.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        They\u2019re cousins, but their appearances and growing habits couldn\u2019t be more different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Can Dichondra Repens Replace Grass?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        Absolutely\u2014and I\u2019ve done it. If you’re looking to reduce mowing, fertilizers, or irrigation, Dichondra Repens<\/em> is a strong choice. It forms a dense mat that feels great underfoot. It’s best for low-traffic areas and doesn’t handle heavy wear as well as traditional turf grass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        How Often Should You Water Dichondra Repens?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        When established, I water it about once a week during dry periods. It has moderate drought tolerance but looks best with consistent moisture. Overwatering can lead to root rot and fungal issues, so avoid soggy soil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        What Pests or Diseases Affect Dichondra Repens?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        In my garden, the most common issue has been fungal leaf spots<\/strong> during humid weather. Aphids and root rot can also occur if soil drainage is poor. I apply neem oil and ensure good airflow to prevent problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n\n\n\n

        Dichondra Repens<\/em> is one of those plants that rewards patience and observation. Whether you’re growing it as a lawn alternative or trying to remove it from your flower beds, knowing its quirks makes a big difference. I hope my personal insights help you manage or embrace this versatile little ground cover.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        I\u2019ve spent years working with ground covers in my garden, and Dichondra Repens has always been one of those plants […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":81046,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[51],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-81804","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-plant-101"],"translation":{"provider":"WPGlobus","version":"3.0.2","language":"vi","enabled_languages":["en","vi"],"languages":{"en":{"title":true,"content":true,"excerpt":false},"vi":{"title":false,"content":false,"excerpt":false}}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/monsteraholic.com\/vi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/81804","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/monsteraholic.com\/vi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/monsteraholic.com\/vi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/monsteraholic.com\/vi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/monsteraholic.com\/vi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=81804"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/monsteraholic.com\/vi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/81804\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":82363,"href":"https:\/\/monsteraholic.com\/vi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/81804\/revisions\/82363"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/monsteraholic.com\/vi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/81046"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/monsteraholic.com\/vi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=81804"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/monsteraholic.com\/vi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=81804"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/monsteraholic.com\/vi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=81804"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}