Leptinella squalida

RHS Plant Profile

leptinella

Synonyms

Cotula squalida

Herbaceous Perennial

Buy this from Plant Nurseries
5 Suppliers

A mat-forming perennial with creeping stems that root at the nodes, and small, fern-like, divided green leaves often flushed with purple. Small, rounded yellowish-white flowers are produced on short stems just above the foliage in summer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

Up to 10 cm

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.5-1 metres
Max Height: Up to 10 cm

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H5

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Asteraceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Semi evergreen
Habit: Matforming
Genus: Leptinella are annuals and creeping, tufted or mat-forming perennials, forming low carpets of finely-divided, often aromatic, fern-like leaves. Button-like flowerheads on short stalks appear from late spring to summer
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: New Zealand

How to Grow

Cultivation

Thrives in well-drained soil that does not dry out; position in full sun in cooler areas, or in part shade in warmer areas. An unusual ground cover for containers, or small spaces like crevices between flagstones, but aggressive spreading means it has potential to become a nuisance in more open spaces

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by division in spring; spreads naturally by rhizomes, so sections can easily be detached and replanted

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Patio and container plants
Ground cover

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free