Silver falls is a trailing, evergreen ground cover with silvery, kidney-shaped leaves, widely sold as Dichondra argentea ‘Silver Falls’. It suits hanging baskets, pots, rockeries and sunny garden edges in Sydney, where its long stems spill over walls and containers.
This guide covers size, planting, care, problems and look-alikes. It sits under our main guide to ground cover plants.
Key points
- Stems trail rather than climb, and the length varies with the container and conditions (indicative — check the plant label).
- It prefers full sun to part shade and free-draining soil, and it dislikes soggy roots in heavy clay.
- Maintenance is low: water regularly, feed lightly in the growing season and trim long stems to keep it neat.
- Watch for frost damage on young plants in cold western suburbs and the Blue Mountains.
Silver falls at a glance
This table sums up the plant before you buy, and every size is a guide only.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Dichondra argentea ‘Silver Falls’ |
| Type | Evergreen trailing ground cover or basket plant |
| Mature size | Low, spreading growth with long trailing stems (indicative — check the label) |
| Sun | Full sun to part shade |
| Soil | Free-draining, enriched with compost |
| Water | Regular in summer, lighter in cooler months |
| Frost tolerance | Limited, so shelter young plants (indicative — check the label) |
| Flowering | Small, inconspicuous flowers (indicative — check the nursery label) |
| Native? | No, it is exotic in Australia |
Dichondra argentea silver falls names and spellings
Gardeners search under many spellings, and nurseries sometimes use a different common name for the same plant.
| Name you may see | What it means | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dichondra argentea ‘Silver Falls’ | The botanical name with the cultivar name in single quotes | The correct form to use when you shop |
| Dichondria silver falls | A common misspelling of dichondra | Search with the right spelling to find the right stock |
| Silver cascade plant | A descriptive common name for the same plant | Check the tag to confirm the botanical name |
| Dichondra silver falls seeds | Seed packets sold by some suppliers | Seed-grown plants can vary, and many gardeners buy cuttings or tube stock instead |
| Lawn dichondra | A different, green-leaved species used as a lawn substitute | Not the same plant, so check the label |
Silver falls varieties and look-alikes
Nurseries sell several silvery trailers, so compare these before you commit.
| Plant | Size | Best use | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| This plant | Low, trailing (indicative — check the label) | Hanging baskets, walls, rockeries | Silvery leaves and quick growth |
| Tiger grass | Clumping (indicative — check the label) | Borders and mass planting | See our tiger grass guide |
| Native violet | Low, spreading (indicative — check the label) | Shaded ground cover | See our native violet guide |
| Blue chalk sticks | Low, upright succulent (indicative — check the label) | Dry beds and pots | See our blue chalk sticks guide |
| Star jasmine | Spreading (indicative — check the label) | Ground cover and climber | See our star jasmine ground cover guide |
| Shade ground covers | Varies | Dry shade under trees | See shade-loving ground covers |
Where to plant silver falls in Sydney
Position matters more than soil, and plants on sunny retaining walls in the Inner West often grow best.
- Choose a sunny to part-shaded spot, because deep shade makes stems leggy and washes out the silver colour.
- Grow it in hanging baskets or tall pots where stems can trail freely, using a good potting mix.
- Plant it along the edge of raised beds and retaining walls so stems spill down without crowding other plants.
- Space plants according to the label (indicative — check the plant label for the grower’s recommended spacing).
- Improve heavy clay in western Sydney with compost and mounding, so roots do not sit in water.
- Keep it clear of lawn edges, because trailing stems can tangle with mower blades and whipper snippers.
How to plant silver falls
- Choose a pot or basket with drainage holes, and fill it with a quality potting mix.
- Water the plant in its nursery pot and loosen the root ball gently with your fingers.
- Set the plant so the top of the root ball sits just below the rim of the pot or level with the soil.
- Backfill, firm lightly and water slowly until it drains from the base.
- Mulch garden beds with a thin layer and keep mulch clear of the stems.
- Water with a hand-held hose with a trigger nozzle before 10 am or after 4 pm, and never leave the hose running unattended.
Caring for silver falls
| Task | When | How |
|---|---|---|
| Watering | Regularly in summer | Water deeply before 10 am or after 4 pm, within the Water Wise Guidelines |
| Feeding | Spring and early summer | Use a registered liquid or slow-release feed and follow the label for rate and protective gear |
| Trimming | Spring and late summer | Cut back long or tired stems to encourage fresh growth |
| Mulching | Spring | Use a thin layer in beds and keep it off the stems |
| Frost protection | Winter | Move pots to shelter and cover young plants on frosty nights |
| Pest watch | Humid summers | Check leaves for sap-sucking insects, then book a licensed pest controller |
Using silver falls as a ground cover or trailing feature
A little trimming keeps the silvery cascade tidy and encourages denser growth.
- Trim stems back with clean secateurs or scissors to keep the plant within its space.
- Pinch the tips of young plants to encourage branching and a fuller basket.
- Refresh tired plants by cutting back hard in spring and feeding lightly.
- Use it as a skirt around larger pots, where it trails over the rim and softens the edge.
- Keep powered trimmers inside the legal hours, which are 7 am to 8 pm on most days and 8 am to 8 pm on Sundays and public holidays.
- Book help for larger garden edges: a Sydney gardener charges about $52 to $115 per hour (October 2026).
Common problems with silver falls
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow leaves | Overwatering or poor drainage | Cut back watering and check the drainage holes |
| Green, lanky growth | Too little sun | Move the plant into brighter light |
| Brown, crisp leaves | Heat stress or dry potting mix | Water deeply in the morning and move out of afternoon sun |
| Black or mushy stems after frost | Frost damage | Trim damaged stems in spring and shelter the plant next winter |
| Sticky leaves | Sap-sucking insects | Book a licensed pest controller to identify and treat the insect |
| Bare patches in the centre | Age or lack of pruning | Cut back and feed, or replace with fresh stock |
FAQ: silver falls questions
Is dichondra easy to grow from seed?
Seed is sold by some suppliers, but results vary and plants can differ from named stock. Many gardeners buy tube stock or cuttings for a more reliable result. Follow the seed packet instructions, and start in warm weather in spring.
What is the silver cascade plant?
Silver cascade plant is a descriptive name used for the same trailing, silvery dichondra. Always check the botanical name on the plant tag, because nurseries use different common names. The botanical name Dichondra argentea ‘Silver Falls’ is the safest guide.
Does it grow in full sun in Sydney?
Yes, it handles full sun to part shade in most Sydney gardens, but protect it from harsh afternoon heat in pots. Water deeply in the morning, and move baskets to shelter during heatwaves or frosts.
Can you use it as a lawn substitute?
No. It is a trailing ornamental, not a hard-wearing lawn plant. For foot traffic, choose a proper turf. Keep it for baskets, walls and garden edges, where it can spill without being walked on.
Getting garden edges tidied in Sydney
If you would rather spend your weekends elsewhere, we mow, edge and tidy lawns and garden borders across Sydney on a regular schedule. Book lawn mowing and edging in Sydney and get an itemised quote. For more planting ideas, return to ground cover plants, and see grass plants for lawn alternatives.
