A fast, lush groundcover with glossy green leaves and small yellow daisies through the warm months. People choose it for a tropical, green look that handles Phoenix summer sun, accepting that a hard freeze can knock it to the ground.
Living with it in the Phoenix Valley
Watering
Follow the shrub, groundcover and succulent schedule in our Landscape Care guide. It is a lush plant and stays green only with regular water through summer, but it wants fast-draining soil rather than constant wetness.
Pruning
Shear the edges to keep it in bounds, and cut it back hard when it gets thick and lumpy. After a freeze, wait until new growth appears in spring, then remove the dead stems.
Cold
Frost browns it and a hard freeze can kill it to the ground. It usually returns quickly once the weather warms.
How our designers use it
Tropical and resort-style yards
Its deep green leaves and steady yellow flowers fill beds under palms and around lush shrubs.
Raised planters and containers
It cascades over the edges of planters and large pots, where it is easy to keep contained.
Quick cover
When a bed needs to fill in fast, it covers ground in a single season.
Good to know
Spreading
It roots as it runs and is listed as invasive in frost-free, wet regions such as Florida. Our dry heat and winter cold limit it here, but it will creep into any watered bed nearby, so give it a firm edge.
Around the pool
Soft leaves, no thorns and light litter make it comfortable near a pool. The stems are brittle, so keep it out of areas people walk on.
