Cotula growing guide

Cotula

Botanical Name: Cotula hispida ('Bristly Buttons')
Family: Asteraceae
Plant Type: Mat-forming groundcover perennial
Size (HxW): 10—15cm x 30—50cm
Depth: Plant at the same depth as the pot
Spacing: Space 30—50cm apart to allow it to spread into a mat.
Soil: Free-draining, gritty or sandy soil. Intolerant of wet feet, particularly over winter.
Aspect: Full sun to semi shade — best foliage density and flowering in full sun.
Climate: Cool to Sub-Tropical
Frost: Tender — protect or grow in movable containers in cold, frost-prone climates.
Water: Water regularly to establish; drought tolerant once established, needing very little supplementary water.
Fertiliser: A light, low-phosphorus, native-friendly slow-release fertiliser in spring; overfeeding causes soft, lax growth.
Flowering Time: Spring to summer
After Flower Care: Trim lightly after flowering to keep growth dense. Lift and divide congested patches every couple of years in spring to rejuvenate and to propagate new plants.
Notes: Forms a dense cushion of silvery, woolly-textured foliage topped with bright yellow button flowers — ideal for rockeries, gravel gardens, edging or gaps between pavers. The main risk is root or crown rot from poorly drained or waterlogged soil, especially in winter; good drainage is essential. Otherwise largely pest- and disease-free once established.

Cotula