Frogfruit

Frogfruit Phyla nodiflora

Frogfruit is a tough, low-growing Texas native groundcover that spreads to form a dense green mat, making it an excellent alternative to traditional lawn in sunny or partly shaded areas. Tiny white-and-purple flowers appear for much of the warm season and are remarkably valuable to pollinators. Frogfruit is a host plant for several butterflies, including Phaon Crescent, White Peacock, and Common Buckeye, while its flowers attract numerous small native bees and other beneficial insects. It tolerates heat, drought, foot traffic, and a range of soils, although it looks its best with occasional moisture. It can spread enthusiastically where conditions suit it, which makes it especially useful between stepping stones, along pathways, as a living mulch, or where a low, wildlife-friendly groundcover is wanted.