Plant Dymondia as plugs, or as pieces you cut from a flat. Set them at the soil line, about 8 to 12 inches apart, in sandy soil that drains.
Plant plugs or pieces from a flat, about 8 to 12 inches apart
| Factor | Recommended | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| When | Spring or fall while frost is past; late winter or early spring to divide a mat | Do not plant into peak inland heat unless you can water often |
| Stock | Nursery plugs, or a flat you cut into small pieces | Do not tease the roots dry and leave them sitting out |
| Spacing | About 8 to 12 inches apart for the pieces to meet | Do not set them so far apart that weeds take the gaps |
| Depth | Crown even with the soil, or a little high | Do not bury the crown in a wet hole |
dymondia goes in as a small plant, not a seeded lawn. Cut a flat into pieces, or buy plugs, and plant them the same day into sandy soil with compost mixed through. [1] About 8 inches apart fills faster; 12 inches uses fewer plants and takes longer. Site, sun, and later watering live on How to Grow Dymondia.
When do I plant Dymondia?
Plant in spring or fall while frost is past. Late winter or early spring is the window if you are dividing a mature mat.
How to plant Dymondia
Set each piece so the crown sits even with the soil. Water at once, then keep the soil barely moist until the roots take hold. [2] Stay off the new planting until the pieces root. A thin mulch between plugs holds moisture while the mat is still open.
- Choose a sunny strip of sandy soil that drains. Mix in some well-rotted compost.
- Water the plugs or the flat, then cut the flat into small pieces with roots attached.
- Set each piece so the crown sits even with the soil, about 8 to 12 inches apart.
- Firm the soil and water at once to close air pockets.
- Keep the soil barely moist until the pieces root, and stay off the bed until they hold.
How far apart do I plant Dymondia?
About 8 to 12 inches apart. Eight inches fills faster. Twelve inches uses fewer plants and takes longer to close.
What fails if you plant it in wet clay
Heavy soil that holds water is the usual reason new plugs rot. Gophers also eat the tender roots, so a lawn swap in gopher country needs baskets or another watch. [3] [4] If a new planting sits in a puddle, lift the pieces onto a raised, sandy strip and water only until they root.
- Do not plant into a low clay pocket that holds water after rain.
- Raise the strip, or mix in grit, so water can leave the crown.
- Watch for gophers if you are replacing a lawn. Baskets help on small jobs.
- Stay off the new mat until the pieces hold, so footsteps do not tear loose roots.
Why did my new plugs rot?
They sat wet. Plant in sandy soil that drains, keep the crown at the soil line, and do not water every day after they root.
If a new plug sits in a puddle, lift it onto a raised, sandy strip and water only until it roots.
FAQ
Can I plant a large lawn of it?
A small courtyard or a path is the reliable job. In a large open lawn, weeds often win the gaps before the slow mat closes.
Can I plant in midsummer heat?
Only if you can water the new pieces often. Spring and fall are the reliable windows.
Do I need gopher baskets?
If gophers already work your lawn, yes for a small path. They eat the tender roots. A large lawn swap is harder to protect.
Related guides
Recommended plants
References
- [1] SANBI PlantZAfrica -
https://pza.sanbi.org/dymondia-margaretae - [2] Inland Valley Garden Planner -
https://inlandvalleygardenplanner.org/plants/dymondia-margaretae/ - [3] University of California ANR -
https://ucanr.edu/node/102709/printable/print - [4] San Marcos Growers -
https://www.smgrowers.com/products/plants/plantdisplay.asp?plant_id=536
This note is part of Dymondia Guides.
More planting notes by plant are gathered in Planting Guides.
Updated: Reviewed by Bosquelle Editors