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Horseherb (Calyptocarpus vialis) is a native perennial which makes a great ground cover or lawn substitute.
Also called Straggler Daisy, horseherb is native to south and south central Texas and adapts to most other parts of the state. It ranges south to Central America. It can grow 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 and attract small butterflies like sulfurs and skippers. Horseherb should be planted in dappled shade, part shade or full shade. It tolerates many types of soils. Avoid planting it 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, it 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. It does 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 it is finding more and more use as a shady lawn substitute. Mix with cool-season spring annuals and evergreens for continuous color. In central Texas, Baby Blue-eyes (Nemophila phacelioides), Widows Tears (Commelina spp.), False Dayflower (Tinantia anomala), Violet Ruellia (Ruellia nudiflora), and sedges (Carex spp.) are good companion plants.
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**ARCHIVED POST AUTHOR: Bill Hopkins
