The silver rain owes its poetic name on the one hand to its characteristic growth form and on the other hand to the unusual color of the leaves. The densely packed leaves have a striking, silvery color that makes the plant look like a shiny waterfall thanks to its hanging shoots that are up to 150 centimeters long. The silver rain is mainly cultivated as a balcony or house plant and comes into its own in hanging baskets. With the right care, you can enjoy the vigorous morning glory for a long time.

The silver rain is ideal for covering up bald spots

Table of Contents

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  1. origin and distribution
  2. appearance and growth
  3. use
  4. leaves
  5. Blossoms, flowering time and fruits
  6. toxicity
  7. Which location is suitable?
  8. soil / substrate
  9. Plant silver rain correctly
  10. pour silver rain
  11. Fertilize silver rain properly
  12. Cutting silver rain correctly
  13. increase silver rain
  14. hibernate
  15. diseases and pests
  16. species and varieties

    17. origin and distribution

    The silver rain is not a separate species, but a particularly striking cultivar of the species Dichondra argentea, which is widespread in the southern USA and in Central and South America. This belongs to the genus Dichondra, which comprises about 15 species, which in turn belongs to the morning glory family (bot. Convolvulaceae) and is related to the sweet potato (bot. Ipomoea batatas).

    The various Dichondra species are almost exclusively native to the tropical and subtropical regions of Central and South America, only two species - Dichondra repens and Dichondra brevifolia - can also be found in New Zealand and Australia. As a neophyte, Dichondra micrantha, originally native to Texas, Mexico and the Caribbean islands, is spreading to southern Europe, where the species is often sown as a lawn substitute.

    appearance and growth

    Dichondra argentea 'Silver Rain' is a herbaceous plant whose thin shoots, which are up to one and a half or even two meters long, grow prostrate or drooping. The strain is also sometimes referred to as 'Silver Falls'. The plants, mostly delivered as young plants or grown by yourself, are fast-growing and form densely green areas within a few weeks. For this reason, the actually perennial, but not sufficiently frost-hardy creeping or hanging plant can be cultivated as an annual without any problems.

    use

    The silver rain looks best when planted individually in hanging baskets or balcony boxes (€109.00), but it also adorns walls, ledges, fences and similar structures on the balcony, terrace or in the garden. It is also very popular to use it as a lawn substitute for greening bare open spaces, for example in perennial beds or as a border for such.

    The shiny silver leaves are particularly highlighted when they are combined with red or blue to violet flowering perennials or summer flowers. Here Dichondra argentea is particularly suitable as a (hanging) background plant or bed border. Suitable plant partners include monkshood (caution, poisonous!), nettle, summer aster, lupine, husk, delphinium, bellflower, knapweed, carnation, red yarrow, spur flower, foxglove (also poisonous!) or hollyhock.

    Furthermore, Dichondra argentea is also ideal as a houseplant, as the tropical plant with its high ornamental value is easy to care for.

    leaves

    The silvery, shiny, hairy leaves of the silver rain are reminiscent of small coins due to their round shape and sit close together on the delicate, long shoots. This creates a compact, dense overall picture.

    Blossoms, flowering time and fruits

    The small, bright yellow-green bell-shaped flowers appear in abundance throughout the season but are fairly inconspicuous. After flowering, capsule fruits develop, which usually consist of two separate, membranous capsules, each with only one round seed.

    toxicity

    Dichondra argentea is non-toxic and therefore ideal for households with small children and curious pets.

    Which location is suitable?

    As a typical plant of the subtropics and tropics, the silver rain likes it warm: In order to feel good and grow vigorously, the plant needs a temperature of at least 16 degrees Celsius. Below this value, Dichondra argentea stops growing. However, the ideal location should not only be warm, but also sheltered from wind and rain and should be as sunny or partially shaded as possible.

    However, a somewhat shady location does no harm, as the plant seeks the way into the sunlight thanks to its long shoots. Balcony plants in particular benefit from being planted in the shade. Only the shoots should grow in the sun. With this measure, the substrate in the bucket does not dry out as quickly and you have to water less.

    soil / substrate

    When it comes to soil, silver rain is quite undemanding and thrives in any well-drained, nutrient-rich, sandy-loamy soil - it just needs to be well-drained and loose, as the variety needs drought. For this reason, you should always provide plants cultivated in pots with good drainage so that waterlogging does not occur in the first place. In addition, excess irrigation water must be removed from the cachepot or saucer immediately after watering. Incidentally, potted plants feel most comfortable in a good potting soil based on humus.

    Incidentally, this description does not apply to all Dichondra species, because some - for example the creeping Dipondra (bot. D. repens), this prefers a rather fresh to moist substrate and must not dry out under any circumstances.

    Plant silver rain correctly

    Since silver rain planted in the garden cannot be brought through the cold season due to a lack of winter hardiness, you should either buy new young plants every year or prefer them. The seeds can be bought quite cheaply in specialist shops.

    Prefer

    From mid-January, sow the seeds in small pots with growing substrate and place them on a bright windowsill at around 22 degrees Celsius. Keep the substrate only slightly damp and avoid moisture, otherwise mold will develop. After about two weeks, the seedlings will finally start to grow, then you can lower the temperature to around 20 degrees Celsius.

    planting time

    From the middle to the end of May, when the temperature outside is constantly at least 16 degrees Celsius, you can plant the young plants either in the bed or in a larger pot with a more nutrient-rich substrate. But slowly get the plants used to the new location so that there are no irritations.

    Alternatively, you can also sow the seeds directly outdoors from May, but it must not get colder than 16 degrees Celsius afterwards.

    planting distance

    If you want to plant the silver rain as a ground cover, a planting distance of at least 20 centimeters is recommended. The plants can grow up to 60 centimeters wide and between 15 and 30 centimeters high, which is why the recommended distance should also be observed in planters such as a flower box (€16.99). For a balcony box with a length of 60 centimeters, you should plan a maximum of five silver rain plants.
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    pour silver rain

    In contrast to some other Dichondra species, the silver rain only needs little water and can therefore cope excellently with drought and heat. So water only moderately, but regularly and let the substrate dry in between.

    Make sure to always water from below and not to wet the leaves and flowers.

    Fertilize silver rain properly

    Specimens planted out in the garden do not require fertilizer as annual plants. Silver rain cultivated in pots - which after all can be overwintered quite easily - should be supplied with a liquid fertilizer administered via the irrigation water about every four weeks between August and September.

    Cutting silver rain correctly

    If you only cultivate the silver rain once a year, a pruning is not necessary. You can only shorten them with scissors if the shoots get too long and otherwise let the fast-growing plant grow. Overwintered specimens, on the other hand, are completely cut back in spring and then sprout again all the more beautifully.

    increase silver rain

    The silver rain can be easily propagated not only by seeds, but also by cuttings cut in early summer. To do this, cut off head cuttings about five centimeters long and put them in small pots with growing substrate. Place the pots in a bright, but not directly sunny and warm place, for example on a windowsill. Keep the substrate slightly moist but not wet. The cuttings form roots within a short time and can be transferred to a larger pot or cold frame as soon as new leaves develop.

    hibernate

    Silver rain planted in the garden is not hardy and cannot be overwintered outdoors, even with protective measures such as brushwood etc. Therefore, dichondra used as ground cover must be planted anew every year. However, specimens cultivated in pots can be brought through the cold season under the following conditions:

    • bright, sheltered spot in the house or conservatory
    • Temperatures between ten and 15 degrees Celsius
    • silver rain stops growing at temperatures below 12 degrees Celsius
    • Greatly reduce watering during winter
    • Allow the substrate to dry out at least two centimeters between waterings
    • Stop fertilizing completely

    In April, finally cut back the silver rain completely and repot the plant in fresh, nutrient-rich substrate and, if necessary, a larger container. Now slowly start fertilizing again and also slowly increase the amount of water. From the middle to the end of May, the plant can finally go outside again, provided the temperatures are constantly above 16 degrees Celsius.

    diseases and pests

    The silver rain is considered robust and is rarely attacked by diseases and pests.

    tips

    In addition to the variety of the species Dichondra argentea known as 'silver rain', there is also a variety of the same name of the hanging bells (bot. Campanula poscharskyana), which are particularly popular as balcony flowers. This bears its poetic name because of the lush, snow-white blossoms. In addition, the common robinia is sometimes referred to as silver rain.

    species and varieties

    In addition to the Dichondra argentea species and its 'Silberregen' variety, other Dichondra species are also cultivated as ornamental plants. Dichondra micrantha, for example, is used as a ground cover and lawn replacement. Dichondra repens is also cultivated as an ornamental plant and can be used as a lawn replacement or ground cover in gardens. The species is available with green to gray leaves and is sown anew every year. Dichondra repens is a small, herbaceous plant native to New Zealand and many parts of Australia. It is sometimes referred to as kidneywort and commonly grows in woodland and grassland habitats.

Category:

Indoor plants