Growing Frog Fruit: A Guide for Beginners
Introduction
Growing native plants is a great way to help protect our natural environment while also adding beauty to your garden. Frog fruit is a native plant that is easy to grow and has many benefits, both for people and wildlife.
What is Frog Fruit?
Frog fruit (Lippia nodiflora) is a low-growing plant that is native to North America. It is a member of the Verbena family and produces small, white flowers that bloom from May until October. Frog fruit is also known as turkey tangle frog fruit because of its tendency to spread and form dense mats of vegetation.
Benefits of Growing Frog Fruit
Frog fruit is a versatile plant that can be used for a variety of purposes in the garden. It is a good choice for ground covers and bedding borders, and it can also be grown in hanging baskets as trailing plants. Frog fruit is also a good choice for attracting wildlife, such as deer and butterflies.
Growing Frog Fruit
Frog fruit is a hardy plant that is easy to grow. It prefers dry soil and full sun, but it can also tolerate partial shade. Frog fruit can be grown from seed or from cuttings.
- Growing Frog Fruit from Seed: Sow the seeds directly in the garden after the soil has warmed. The seeds will germinate in 7-10 days.
- Growing Frog Fruit from Cuttings: Take cuttings from healthy frog fruit plants in the spring or summer. The cuttings should be about 4 inches long. Remove the leaves from the bottom of the cuttings and then plant them in a pot filled with moist potting mix. The cuttings will root in 4-6 weeks.
Frog Fruit Care
Frog fruit is a low-maintenance plant that does not require a lot of care. However, there are a few things you can do to help your frog fruit plants thrive.
- Watering: Frog fruit plants prefer dry soil, but they will need additional moisture during the hottest months of summer. Water your frog fruit plants deeply when the soil is dry to the touch.
- Fertilizing: Frog fruit plants do not need a lot of fertilizer. However, you can fertilize them with a balanced fertilizer in the spring.
- Pruning: Frog fruit plants can be pruned to control their size and shape. Prune the plants back in the spring or fall.
Problems
Frog fruit is a relatively pest-free and disease-resistant plant. However, there are a few problems that you may encounter.
- Slugs and Snails: Slugs and snails can damage frog fruit plants by eating the leaves. To control slugs and snails, use a slug and snail bait.
- Aphids: Aphids are small, green insects that can suck the sap from frog fruit plants. To control aphids, use an insecticidal soap.
Conclusion
Frog fruit is a beautiful and easy-to-grow native plant that has many benefits for both people and wildlife. By following the tips in this article, you can grow healthy and beautiful frog fruit plants in your garden.
