Silver Carpet (Dymondia margaretae) Growing & Care Guide for Gardeners
Article by Dean Ravenscroft, Ph.D. - Updated 1st Feb 2024
- Plant Characteristics: A low-growing, drought-tolerant groundcover with silver-green leaves and yellow daisy-like flowers in summer. Ideal for filling gaps between stepping stones or as a lawn alternative.
- Growing & Care: Thrives in full sun to partial shade and requires well-drained soil. Extremely drought-resistant once established, but looks best with occasional watering during prolonged dry spells.
- Tips for New Gardeners: Perfect for low-water gardens and easy to care for. Plant in an area with good drainage and give it space to spread. Minimal maintenance required, making it an excellent choice for beginner gardeners looking for groundcover options.
The Dymondia margaretae plant is great for using between paving slabs. It is very tough and has earned the nickname of 'living cement'.
These carpet forming plants, originally native to South Africa, are very drought tolerant once established. They can make a great plant to grow in sandy areas..
Its deep roots make it ideal for growing in areas where there is erosion and soil needs to be retained.
Silver Carpet bed photograph by pasiparkkila.
The plant is fairly hardy once established, but it is best to supply it with a weekly watering for the first few years of its life. Also water in times of drought and heat for best results.
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Quick Growing and Care Guide
- Scientific Name: Dymondia margaretae.
- Common Name (s): Silver carpet, Carpet gazania.
- Growing Zone (USA / UK Hardiness): 9b to 11 / H3.
Plant Details
- Life Cycle / Plant Type: Perennial, Evergreen, Mat / carpet forming.
- Plant Height: 1 to 3 inches (3 to 8 cm).
- Plant Spread: Matt forming. 16 to 24 inches (40 to 60 cm).
- Blooms: Summer.
- Flower Details: Yellow.
- Leaf Foliages: Grey-green, silver beneath.
Growing Conditions
- Best Light Conditions: Full sun or light shade.
- Suitable Soil Types: Good drainage. Dry. Sandy. Rocky. Poor.
- Suitable Soil pH: 6 to 7.
- Soil Soil Moisture: Dry.
- Sowing, planting, and Propagation: Division or from seed.
Further Information
- Best Garden Use: Where there is foot traffic. Patchy Ground covering (especially popular with people with dogs as it has a strong will to survive). Between paving stones, rock garden, wall. Drape over a container, planter.
- Family: Asteraceae (Compositae).
- Closely Related Species: Achillea, Aster, Callistephus, Cosmea, Helianthus, Leontopodium, Liatris, Sanvitalia, Stokesia, Townsendia, and Zinnia.
- Miscellaneous: Tough ground cover in warmer areas. Drought tolerant. May do well in salty soils. Does not tolerate wet soil. Water weekly when getting established. Deep roots. Attracts gophers (consider growing in planters if you suffer from these pests). Deer usually do not eat Dymondia plants. Year round interest. Can attract butterflies to the garden.
- Further Reading and References used: Wikipedia; as a Ground cover.
I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Dymondia margaretae plants. You may also enjoy the following Gardener's HQ Asteraceae growing guides: How to grow Santolina and Artemisia absinthium plants.
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