Dichondra

Dichondra argentea

Family: Convolvulaceae

Container / Hanging Basket Plant
Drought Tolerant
Fast Growing
Low Maintenance

Pet & Human Safety

People: Skin irritant to peoplePets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them

Hazardous parts

whole plant (contact)

Preparation

No part of this plant should be treated as safe to eat, and skin contact can cause irritation in some people.

Hazard type

contact dermatitis (skin irritation on contact): NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox rates this low severity for humans and states the specific toxic principle is unidentified

Hazard route

dermal contact

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Toxic to pets

No ASPCA entry found.

No ASPCA entry found for Dichondra argentea, 'Silver Falls,' or silver ponysfoot (checked 2026-10-16). No pet-safety verdict is given, because not appearing in a list does not show a plant is safe. Separately, NC State Extension rates this plant low-severity toxic to HUMANS: contact with the plant can cause skin irritation (contact dermatitis); the specific toxic principle is not identified by NC State. NC State's page does not mention toxicity to animals at all.

PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

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Care

Hardiness zones: USDA zones 10a-12b (NC State), corroborated by Proven Winners' broader 9a-11b/10-11 range for the cultivar. NC State says the 'Silver Falls' cultivar is a winter hardy evergreen; however, it is sometimes grown as an ornamental annual.
Mature size: About 2-4 inches tall and 3-4 feet wide as a spreading groundcover (NC State); in a hanging basket it can trail 3-6 feet in one season (NC State). The Creekside Nursery listing of Proven Winners Silver Falls gives 2-3 in tall and 36-48 in wide in its details block (its header says 2-6 in tall and 18-36 in wide).

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

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