The Silver Waterfall plant, Dichondra argentea ‘Silver Falls’, is a favorite ornamental foliage plant. This tender perennial is most often grown as an annual, providing a striking element to mixed containers and garden beds. Its popularity stems from its cascading growth habit and shimmering, silver-gray leaves, which contrast coolly with traditional green foliage and brightly colored blooms. Its ability to thrive in warm, dry conditions makes it a resilient, low-maintenance choice.
Defining the Silver Waterfall Plant
The plant widely known as the Silver Waterfall plant, Silver Dichondra, or Silver Ponyfoot is botanically identified as Dichondra argentea ‘Silver Falls’. Belonging to the morning glory family, Convolvulaceae, this cultivar is valued for its foliage rather than the small, inconspicuous flowers it produces. The species Dichondra argentea is native to the arid regions of Texas and Mexico, contributing to its heat and drought tolerance.
The physical characteristics of ‘Silver Falls’ are defined by its low-growing, creeping nature and its long, vigorous trailing stems. The dense, fan-shaped leaves are covered in fine, soft hairs, giving them a distinct felted texture and a shimmering, pewter-gray appearance. While the plant’s height remains low, typically only 2 to 4 inches, the trailing stems can cascade dramatically, reaching lengths of 3 to 6 feet in a single growing season.
Essential Cultivation Requirements
To achieve the best growth and most vibrant silver color, ‘Silver Falls’ requires specific environmental conditions, beginning with ample sunlight. The plant flourishes in full sun, defined as six or more hours of direct sunlight daily, as this exposure intensifies the silver coloration of the foliage. While it can tolerate partial shade, too little light will result in a less dense growth habit and a reduction in the metallic sheen.
The composition of the soil is another factor, as this plant is highly susceptible to issues caused by poor drainage. It performs best in well-draining, loamy, or sandy soil, and planting in heavy clay or overly organic material can lead to root rot. It is better to err on the side of dryness; the plant is drought-tolerant once established and should be allowed to dry out between waterings. Overwatering is the most common mistake, and signs like yellowing leaves or wilting can indicate overly saturated roots.
‘Silver Falls’ has moderate fertilization needs and benefits from a light, balanced approach during the active growing season. Applying a slow-release granular fertilizer at the time of planting is usually sufficient to sustain the plant for the season, especially when grown as an annual. Excessive fertilization, particularly with high-nitrogen formulas, can promote lush, but weaker, growth and may compromise the plant’s natural heat and drought resistance. Optimal temperatures for vigorous growth range between 60 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
Ideal Uses in Landscaping
The pronounced trailing habit of Dichondra argentea ‘Silver Falls’ makes its primary and most effective use as a “spiller” in container gardening. When placed near the edge of a pot, hanging basket, or window box, the silvery stems cascade gracefully over the side, providing an elegant vertical element. Its fine, delicate texture and neutral color serve as a sophisticated backdrop, beautifully contrasting with the bolder colors of companion plants like petunias, begonias, or dark-leaved sweet potato vines.
Beyond containers, the plant can be effectively utilized as a fast-growing, annual ground cover in temperate climates. Its creeping stems will root where they touch the soil, quickly forming a dense, silvery mat that helps suppress weeds. This function is particularly useful for covering retaining walls, rock gardens, or slopes where its foliage can flow over the hardscape. When used as a ground cover, plants should be spaced approximately 18 to 24 inches apart to allow for lateral spread and full coverage.
Managing Pests and Overwintering
The Silver Waterfall plant is low-maintenance and infrequently bothered by significant pests or diseases. The most frequently encountered issue is root rot, which is directly caused by persistently wet or poorly draining soil. If the foliage begins to turn yellow or brown and the soil is damp, the best course of action is to stop watering immediately and allow the soil to dry completely.
Occasionally, general sap-sucking insects like aphids or spider mites may be found, though these rarely cause serious damage. The plant is a tender perennial, hardy only in USDA Zones 10 to 12, meaning it will succumb to frost in most regions. Gardeners wishing to preserve their ‘Silver Falls’ specimens can bring the plant indoors before the first hard frost, ideally when nighttime temperatures drop below 50°F.
Overwintering Indoors
When overwintering indoors, the plant should be placed in an area that receives bright, direct light and kept in a lightweight, well-draining soil mix. Watering must be significantly reduced during the winter months, allowing the soil to dry almost completely between applications. An alternative method is to propagate the plant by taking stem cuttings in late summer, which can be rooted and maintained indoors to provide new plants for the following spring.