The Story
Plant Bio
Phyla nodiflora, the turkey-tangle frogfruit, is a low-growing, mat-forming perennial groundcover that spreads indefinitely via creeping stolons rooting at the nodes. The small, opposite, spoon-shaped leaves are coarsely serrated on the upper half and take on reddish or purplish tints during cold winter weather.
The inflorescences are dense, cylindrical to globose heads resembling miniature matchheads, borne on upright stems above the foliage. Individual tiny flowers feature a dark purple center encircled by white-to-pink petals, blooming continuously from late spring until the first frost.
Uses & Benefits:
Essentials
At a Glance
Plant Type
Groundcover
Height
6"
Width
60"
Light
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Zones
8, 9, 10
Water
Moderate
Humidity
High
Lifespan
Perennial
Native To
Americas, Africa, Asia, Australia
Toxicity
Non-toxic
Bloom period
Late spring – Fall
In flower about 7 months of the year
Planting
How to Grow
- Select a planting site in full sun to partial shade with sandy, loamy, or heavy clay soil.
- Space plugs or small potted plants 12 to 18 inches apart to allow the creeping stolons room to spread.
- Water regularly during the first few weeks to establish a deep root system, after which the plants tolerate dry spells.
- Mow or trim every few months during the active growing season to maintain a tidy, low profile, taking care not to scalp into old woody stems.
Pro Tip
Avoid applying heavy fertilizer to this groundcover; excess nutrients destroy its tight, compact mat form and encourage tall, rank, spongy growth.
Keep It Thriving
Care Guide
Do
- Allow the soil to dry out between waterings once the root system is established.
- Trim the edges regularly if planting near garden beds to prevent stolons from invading adjacent soil.
- Keep the planting area weeded until the stolons knit together into a dense, weed-suppressing mat.
Don't
- Do not over-fertilize, as high nitrogen levels cause leggy, weak growth and reduce drought tolerance.
- Do not plant in deep, wet shade where the lack of sunlight invites powdery mildew and root rot.
- Do not scalp the plants back to bare, leafless woody stems when mowing.
Seasonal Care Calendar
| Task | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pest Check | ||||||||||||
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Prune | ||||||||||||
| Winter Prep |
Watch Out For
Pests & Diseases
Common Pests
Common Diseases
In the Garden
Landscape Uses & Companions
Landscape Uses
Multiply
Propagation Methods
Good to Know
Common Questions
Turkey-tangle Frogfruit questions
What zones can Turkey-tangle Frogfruit grow in?
Turkey-tangle Frogfruit is hardy in USDA Zones 8–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.
Is Turkey-tangle Frogfruit deer resistant?
Yes — Turkey-tangle Frogfruit is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.
When does Turkey-tangle Frogfruit bloom?
Turkey-tangle Frogfruit typically blooms in late spring through fall. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.
Does Turkey-tangle Frogfruit need full sun?
Turkey-tangle Frogfruit does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.
Is Turkey-tangle Frogfruit drought tolerant?
Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Turkey-tangle Frogfruit handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.
More Phyla to compare
Keep exploring
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Hardy in your zone?
Grow Turkey-tangle Frogfruit with confidence
See it in a design of your actual yard, get zone-matched care reminders, and track it season by season in your garden journal.