Groundcover Care FAQ – Zoysia, Creeping Thyme & Silver Falls
Frequently Asked Questions: Groundcovers
SEQ-focused care for living carpets, spillovers and low-maintenance coverage.
Zoysia (groundcover types)
- Sun/Soil: Full sun; free-draining.
- Water: Regular through establishment; drought-tolerant later.
- Maintenance: Occasional trim to keep even height; feed lightly in spring.
Creeping Thyme
- Sun/Soil: Full sun; excellent drainage; avoid heavy, wet soils.
- Water: Light, frequent watering only during establishment; avoid overwatering.
- Note: Do not dip 100mm infant herbs in strong seaweed solutions; use gentle dilution only after establishment.
Dichondra ‘Silver Falls’
- Sun/Soil: Full sun to light shade; free-draining.
- Water: Moderate; allow the surface to dry slightly between waterings.
- Use: Cascades over walls and pots; great heat tolerance in SEQ.
Casuarina glauca ‘Cousin It’
- Habit & size: Prostrate, weeping groundcover ~0.1–0.25m high × 1.5–2.0m wide forming a dense “green waterfall”.
- Sun & soil: Full sun to light shade in very free-draining sandy/loamy soil; mound or plant on a slope if drainage is marginal.
- Water: Deep soaks for 6–8 weeks to establish, then low–moderate watering; avoid waterlogging to prevent crown/root rot.
- Spacing: Plant ~50–100cm centres—60–70cm for rapid cover, 90–100cm for economy.
- Maintenance: Minimal—tip-trim edges 1–2×/yr, lift thatch/debris, and keep mulch ~5 cm off the crown; not for foot traffic.
- Feeding: Apply a light low-P native controlled-release fertiliser in spring only.
- Pests/Disease: Generally trouble-free but prone to rot in poorly drained, persistently wet spots.
- Uses (SE QLD): Ideal for cascading over walls, rocks and pots, stabilising banks/edges, and tolerates coastal heat once established.
SE QLD tip: In humid summer rain, site ‘Cousin It’ on a slight mound or raised edge and avoid irrigation pooling in the crown for best longevity.
Groundcover Comparison – Best Pairings & Uses (Brisbane & SEQ)
| Groundcover | Habit & Size | Foot Traffic | Best Pairings | Best Uses | Avoid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zoysia (groundcover types) | Low tufting carpet ~H8–15cm; spreads by runners, forms mounds. | Light–moderate (good between steppers). | Feature trees (Olive, Magnolia, Crepe Myrtle); low hedges (Westringia, Murraya); stone steppers. | Between pavers, sunny borders, living mulch patches, gentle slopes. | Deep shade; boggy/poorly drained soil; constant heavy wear. |
| Creeping Thyme | Mat-forming ~H5–10cm; aromatic; spreads 0.5–0.8m. | Light (occasional foot only). | Mediterranean pairings: Feature trees Olive, Rosemary, Lavender; steppers; low hedges (Grey Box). | Between steppers, hot sunny banks, bee-friendly edging. | Tropical-rain locations, humid/wet spots, heavy clay, over-irrigation. |
| Dichondra ‘Silver Falls’ | Trailing spillover ~10–15 cm H; trails 1–2 m. | Low (not for walking). | Pots & walls with Olives, succulents, dark/contrasting foliage; modern xeric mixes. | Cascading pots, retaining walls, rockeries, contrast planting. | Tropical-rain locations, constant overhead irrigation, heavy shade, waterlogging. |
| Casuarina glauca ‘Cousin It’ | Prostrate “green waterfall” ~H10–25cm × W1.5–2.0m. | None (pure ornamental cover). | Bold verticals (Grass Trees), Westringia/Murraya low hedges, Agaves, boulders, walls. | Banks, edges, spillover on walls/rocks, coastal sites; erosion cover. | Poor drainage/waterlogging, mulch over crown, cramped spots with no airflow. |
*Foot traffic guide: “Light” = occasional steps (e.g., between pavers); “Moderate” = regular but not daily wear; “None” = decorative cover only.
Spacing tip: For fast cover, plant closer (60–70cm); for economical massing, use wider centres (80–100cm) where noted.
General Groundcover Tips
- Prepare soil by improving drainage; mound beds if needed.
- Mulch lightly so crowns aren’t buried.
- Weed early; groundcovers suppress, once established.
Explore related guides: