Exploring Alternatives to Grass Lawns: Scotts Pursue Dichondra

Sometimes, you just get tired of regular turf. Maybe after years of a traditional grass lawn, you’re bored with the look or ready for something lower maintenance. You’ve considered ground cover alternatives, but aren’t sure what to choose, or maybe you’re ready for something entirely different.

Look no further than Scotts® Pursue™️ Dichondra. An aesthetically different choice for lawns and landscapes, this decorative ground cover offers an eco-friendly, low-maintenance solution to lawn care.

Here’s a quick look at dichondra and its benefits:

• Decorative ground cover for lawn and lawnscape use
• Grows low to the ground and requires little to no mowing, depending on preference
• Naturally spreads to fill in sparse areas
• Highly resistant to disease and other lawn threats
• Grows best in the Southern US, can grow in partial shade but prefers full sun

While dichondra might not be the typical choice for lawns, this alternative ground cover offers a low-maintenance lawn experience that you can’t get from traditional turf grasses. Mowing this alternative lawn cover is entirely a matter of preference. Even for those who do decide to mow, this low-growing ground cover won’t need a trim often. Also, dichondra is highly resistant to disease and other lawn threats, meaning you’ll spend less time fighting fungus and dead patches in your landscape. Try tackling small problem areas in your lawn with dichondra - it spreads naturally to fill in sparse areas. You can also use dichondra as coverage between paver walkways, ground cover in landscaped areas, or a total lawn replacement for small urban lawns. This grass alternative can grow in partial shade, though it prefers full sun, and does best in the Southern US.

While dichondra offers many benefits, there are a few things to consider when choosing this ground cover. Avoid weed control products as many can cause injury and even kill dichondra. This alternative lawn cover has a low tolerance for foot traffic, making it ideal for decorative or small areas, but not a great option for high-traffic areas.

Ready to give dichondra a try? All it takes is three simple steps! Keep in mind that dichondra is very different from grasses, so you’ll want to remove any existing grass from the area you’re seeding.

1. Prep

New Lawn or decorative area: Rake area to loosen the top of layer of soil (approximately 2 inches deep) and remove any existing grass or debris, ensuring seed-to-soil contact. If you’re replacing an existing lawn, remove all existing grass before planting dichondra.

Overseeding an existing dichondra lawn or decorative area: Mow lawn at the lowest setting and bag the clippings. Rake to remove debris and dead dichondra and to loosen the soil, ensuring seed-to-soil contact.

2. Apply

Plant in late spring to early summer, when air temperatures reach 70°F. Use a Scotts® spreader per the label directions to apply.

3. Care

Keep the soil moist until seed germination.

For best results, apply a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer about 6-8 weeks after seeding. Additional feedings can be made to actively growing dichondra. Always refer to your fertilizer’s label instructions for application restrictions.

Still not sure if dichondra is right for you? Give this ground cover a try in a small corner or decorative space in your yard. Before you know it, you’ll fall in love with the unique look and easy maintenance of dichondra.