Turkey tangle fogfruit.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Perennial groundcover

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Indoor light

Direct sun

Water

Every 3 to 7 days

Mature size

3 to 6 inches tall

Growth rate

Fast

Hardiness

USDA 7 to 11

Bloom time

Late spring to early autumn

Care

Plant this in a sunny spot and keep the soil consistently moist until it establishes its roots. Watch for yellowing leaves, which often signal that the plant is getting too much water or needs a bit more drainage. It is quite resilient, but keep an eye out for invasive weeds that might try to crowd it out while it is spreading.

Watering

Keep the soil evenly moist, especially during the first few months after planting.

Feeding

A light application of balanced fertilizer in the spring helps keep the foliage lush.

Pruning

Trim back the edges if it starts growing into areas where you do not want it.

Repotting

If growing in a container, move it to a larger pot once the roots fill the current space.

Soil

Well-draining, sandy, or loamy soil

Soil pH

6.0 to 8.0

Temperature

-10 to 40°C

Humidity

30 to 80%

Drought tolerance

High

Lifespan

Perennial, typically 3 to 5 years

Deer and rabbits

Moderate

Safety

People

There are no reports of significant human toxicity for this species.

Children

The plant is not known to be dangerous to children, but it is best to discourage ingestion of any non food plant.

Contact allergens

Some individuals may experience mild skin irritation from handling the foliage.

Airborne allergens

The pollen may cause mild reactions in sensitive individuals during peak bloom.

Edibility

This plant is not considered edible and should not be consumed.

How to identify it

• Small, spoon-shaped serrated leaves
• Tiny white to pinkish flower clusters
• Low growing, creeping habit
• Forms dense, carpet-like mats

Height

0.02 to 0.08m

Spread

0.3 to 1m

Leaves

green, bronze, semi-evergreen

Flowers

white, pink, lavender, 0.5 to 1cm

Common problems

• Root rot — Occurs when the soil remains waterlogged for extended periods.

Growing it

Propagation

division, cuttings, seed

When to plant

spring, autumn

Overwintering

In colder regions, the foliage may die back to the ground. Simply clear away dead debris in early spring to encourage fresh growth.

In containers

It grows well in wide, shallow containers, but ensure the pot has excellent drainage.

Pair this with taller, upright perennials to create a layered look that shades the soil and suppresses weeds.

Grows well with

• Blue-eyed Grass — They share similar moisture needs and provide a nice contrast in texture.
• Blanketflower — They both enjoy full sun and create a colorful, low maintenance landscape.

Similar species

• Creeping Verbena — It shares a similar growth habit and flower structure.

Science

Family

Verbenaceae

Genus

Phyla

Order

Lamiales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Widespread across tropical and subtropical regions globally.

Conservation

It is not considered a conservation concern and is often viewed as a common native ground cover.

It thrives in moist, disturbed areas and spreads rapidly via creeping stems that root at the nodes.

Value to wildlife

nectar source, ground cover habitat

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Uses

ground cover, lawn alternative, erosion control, pollinator garden

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Can I walk on it?

Yes, it tolerates light to moderate foot traffic.

Does it need much water?

Once established, it is quite drought tolerant.

Where the name comes from

The name Phyla comes from the Greek word for tribe, referring to the clustered flowers, while nodiflora means node flowering.

Good to know

• It is a member of the verbena family.
• The flowers look like tiny, cute matchsticks.
• It can grow in both sandy and clay soils.
• It is a larval host for several butterfly species.

Also in

• Drought-tolerant plants