Horseherb

Calyptocarpus vialis

 

Depending on your point of view horseherb is a pest or a welcome shade tolerant groundcover that tolerates moderate foot traffic. If you have a shady lawn, you probably already have it. Mow if desired to keep even. Because it is dormant in winter, mix with spring annuals such as baby blue-eyes and widows tears which are green in winter.

Horseherb is native to Texas and ranges south to Central America.  It grows up to 8-10 inches tall, with opposite leaves that are usually less than 1 inch long.  It has a sprawling to prostrate habit.  Horseherb is perennial and although deciduous, it may remain green during a mild North Texas winter. Horseherb has very small yellow flowers that bloom from mid-spring to late fall. Horseherb should be planted in dappled shade, part shade or full shade.  It tolerates many types of soils.  Avoid planting horseherb in an area where it may experience "wet feet" or it may rot.

Horseherb should be watered after planting and again every other week during its first growing season.  After the first growing season, horseherb will survive with existing rainfall because of its drought tolerance.

Horseherb is an outstanding substitute for grass in those shady areas where grass is difficult to grow.  Horseherb grows well in the shade and it can be mowed.   Because horseherb may expand by stolons (runners) and rooting from the stems, it can become invasive (weedy!) in rich garden soil.  However, it is an excellent groundcover for dry shady areas and because it can be mowed, it is finding more and more use as a shady lawn substitute.