PlantFun
Plant Needs
Sunlight
Bright indirect to partial sun; tolerates light shade, but excessive shade reduces flowering
Watering
Water when the top 1 cm of soil dries out; avoid overwatering to prevent root rot in dense mats
Temperature
Hardy to mild frosts; thrives at 15–25°C, avoid prolonged exposure to temperatures above 30°C
Characteristics
- Leaf: Trifoliate, clover-like bright green blades that fold at night via nyctinasty
- Flower: Small five-petaled yellow blooms clustered at slender stem tips
- Stem: Creeping, slender stems that root at nodes to form dense, spreading mats
Care Guide
Watering
Keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged
Fertilization
Diluted balanced liquid feed every 2 weeks. Avoid over-fertilizing, as it can lead to leggy stems and reduced flowering
Banana peel tea：Chop 1–2 banana peels, soak in 1 liter of water for 3 days, dilute 1:20 with water before applying as a root drench; discard solid peels to prevent pest infestationsPruning
- Trim back overgrown mats in early spring to maintain a neat, compact form
- Remove yellowing or damaged leaves to improve airflow and reduce disease risk
- Pull up unwanted spreading stems to control its invasive growth habit in garden beds
Toxicity
Warning: this plant may be toxic.
Pets & Humans
Pets: ASPCA: Toxic due to soluble calcium oxalates; causes oral irritation, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing
Humans: Contains soluble oxalates; large ingestion may cause mild gastrointestinal irritation or oral discomfort
Garden Uses & Culture
Culture: N/A
Usage: Ground cover for garden beds; small amounts of leaves are edible, but avoid large servings due to oxalate content
