Silver Surfer Seeds

★★★★★ Container & Groundcover Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Silver Surfer™ is one of the most striking foliage plants available for containers, hanging baskets, and landscape use. This award-winning selection of Silver Ponyfoot produces cascading streams of shimmering silver leaves that create a dramatic waterfall effect wherever it is planted. Its soft metallic foliage reflects sunlight beautifully, making it one of the finest accent plants for modern gardens and decorative containers.

Whether spilling over the edge of a hanging basket, softening a retaining wall, or serving as a drought-tolerant groundcover, Silver Surfer™ delivers season-long beauty with remarkably little maintenance. Its versatility and unique coloration have made it a favorite among gardeners and professional landscape designers alike.

Plant Characteristics

• Botanical Name: Dichondra argentea 'Silver Surfer'
• Common Names: Silver Surfer™, Silver Ponyfoot, Silver Dichondra
• Plant Type: Trailing perennial grown as an annual in colder climates
• Mature Height: 2 to 6 inches
• Mature Spread: 3 to 6 feet
• Growth Rate: Fast
• USDA Zones: 8 to 11
• Flower Color: Small greenish-white flowers
• Foliage: Silvery metallic kidney-shaped leaves

Landscape Uses

Silver Surfer™ is ideal for hanging baskets, mixed containers, window boxes, retaining walls, rock gardens, xeriscapes, borders, and groundcover plantings.

Its trailing habit creates dramatic contrast when paired with colorful flowers such as petunias, calibrachoa, verbena, lantana, geraniums, and million bells.

Germination Information

Seeds are generally easy to germinate when provided warmth and moisture.

• Sow seeds on the surface of a well-drained seed-starting mix.
• Lightly press seeds into the soil.
• Do not deeply cover the seed.
• Maintain temperatures between 70 and 80°F.
• Keep evenly moist.
• Germination typically occurs within 7 to 14 days.

Growing Information

Silver Surfer™ thrives in full sun and well-drained soils. It tolerates heat, drought, humidity, and poor soils remarkably well once established.

The silvery foliage remains attractive throughout the growing season and often improves in appearance during hot weather when many other plants begin to struggle.

Minimal pruning is required, although occasional trimming may encourage denser growth.

Container Growing

Few plants excel in containers as dramatically as Silver Surfer™. Its long cascading stems can spill several feet over the sides of hanging baskets, elevated planters, and decorative containers.

Its silvery foliage serves as a perfect backdrop for colorful flowering companions and adds elegance to both traditional and contemporary container designs.

Pollinator Value

While primarily grown for its foliage, the small flowers may occasionally attract tiny beneficial insects and pollinators.

Its greatest contribution is providing attractive foliage combinations that support diverse pollinator-friendly container plantings.

Wildlife Value

Silver Surfer™ offers low-level habitat value while helping create diverse garden environments that support beneficial insects and pollinators.

Its dense growth can provide shelter for small garden creatures.

Historical and Cultural Facts

Dichondra argentea is native to desert and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.

Silver Surfer™ was selected for its exceptional vigor, trailing habit, and uniquely bright silver foliage.

It quickly became one of the most popular foliage plants in the ornamental horticulture industry and continues to be widely used in professional landscape design.

Botanical Facts

• Member of the Convolvulaceae (Morning Glory) family.
• Related to morning glories and sweet potatoes.
• Native to desert regions of North America.
• The silver leaf coating helps reflect sunlight and conserve moisture.
• Excellent heat and drought tolerance.
• One of the longest trailing foliage plants commonly grown from seed.

Seedman's Note

Silver Surfer™ has earned its popularity by providing something few plants can match—spectacular silver foliage that remains attractive from spring until frost. It instantly elevates the appearance of containers, baskets, and landscape plantings.

Additional Seedman's Note

If you're searching for the perfect "spiller" plant for containers or a unique drought-tolerant groundcover, Silver Surfer™ is hard to beat. Its cascading silver foliage creates movement, texture, and elegance in virtually any garden setting.