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How to Grow Silver Nickel Vines

Silver nickel vine (binomial name: Dichondra argentea 'Silver Falls'), also known as silver ponysfoot, with morning dew, for decoration or background with motifs of gardening, horticulture, and summer
Photo Credit
Ken Schultz
Botanical Name
Dichondra argentea
Plant Type
Foliage Plant
Hardiness Zone
9
10

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How to Plant, Grow, and Care for the Silver Nickel Vine

Carol Connare
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This eye-catching silver nickel vine boasts shimmering, kidney-shaped foliage that cascades beautifully in hanging baskets, containers, and garden beds. Its unique, metallic texture adds a touch of cool contrast to any planting scheme, while its low-maintenance needs make it perfect for busy gardeners.  Read on to learn how to cultivate this stunning spiller and bring a touch of wow to your landscape!

About the Silver Nickel Vine

All that glitters is not gold: Dichondra argentea ‘Silver Falls,’ aka silver nickel vine, produces a cascade of kidney-shaped silvery foliage. Its pewtery metallic appearance is a cool contrast to deep green foliage and the primary hues of companion plants. Very small greenish-yellow or white flowers may appear from May to June but are considered insignificant.

Described as the “Niagara Falls of trailers” for its fast-growing habit and trailing stems up to 5 feet long, this super spiller has a high tolerance for heat and drought, making it ideal for low-water or xeriscape environments.

Silver nickel vine is a tender herbaceous perennial native to West Texas and Mexico. It is winter-hardy in Zones 9 to 11 and treated as an annual elsewhere.

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Planting

Purchasing plants is recommended; silver nickel vine seeds are available mainly only to wholesalers.

Plant silver nickel vine in potting mix amended with sandy loam. Fertilize with a slow-release balanced formula.

Growing

Provide the plant with full sun; it does tolerate some light shade.

Silver nickel vine prefers dry to medium-moist conditions; overwatering or standing water puts it at risk of dying. Less than an inch of water per week is advised, except in extreme heat, when more can be given. If the plant wilts, all is not lost; it should recover with watering. Learn more about keeping your plants alive in hot weather.

No pinching or pruning is needed. No fertilizer is necessary after initial planting.

Original hanging flower bed with colorful painted nettle (Coleus), silver ponysfoot (Dichondra argentea, silver nickel vine) and other flowering plants hanging till the ground on bridge in summer
Silver Nickel Vines make a stunning addition to conteiners!
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Wit and Wisdom

  • According to the North Carolina State Extension, “The genus name comes from the Greek words di meaning two and chondros meaning lump in reference to the fruit having two capsules.”
  • Dichondra argentea is part of the Convolvulaceae family, whose members are commonly known as bindweeds or morning glories.
  • Do not confuse with D. carolinensis, aka Carolina ponysfoot (a green creeping herb), or D. repens, aka kidney weed (a deep-green ground cover).
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About The Author

Carol Connare

As the 14th editor of The Old Farmer’s Almanac, Carol Connare works with writers and other editors to develop “new, useful, and entertaining matter” for the annual Almanac as well as books, calendars, and other publications. Read More from Carol Connare

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