Groundcover
Mecardonia
Mecardonia
Varieties We Carry
Gold Dust PWMecardonia
Sizes & Pricing
1 galFrom$7.95
Fresh this week. Last restocked Jun 25.
LightFull Sun, Part Shade, Full Shade
WaterModerate to High
Mature size3-6 inches × 12-18 inches
About Mecardonia
Mecardonia is a low-growing native Florida groundcover in the plantain family, forming spreading mats just 3–6 inches tall covered in small bright yellow flowers from spring through fall. It thrives in moist to wet conditions — ideal for NE Florida rain gardens, pond margins, and irrigated moist borders where it provides long-season color with minimal care. Starting at $7.95.
Plant details
- Bloom Season
- Spring, Summer, Fall
- Flower Color
- White, Yellow
- Growth Rate
- Moderate
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Soil
- Sandy, Loam, Moist
Best planting months
Recommended forZone 9b · St. Augustine, FL
J
F
M
A
M
JNow
J
A
S
O
N
D
This monthGood windowOther months
Seasonal care
Bloom season. Good planting window.
Bloom season.
Bloom season. Ideal planting window.
Retains foliage through winter.
Care essentials
Light
Mecardonia tolerates full sun to full shade; it grows best in sunny to partly shaded moist areas. In NE Florida, it excels near pond margins, rain gardens, and irrigated moist beds where it forms a dense yellow-flowering mat.
Water
Mecardonia prefers consistently moist to wet soil and thrives near water features or with regular irrigation in NE Florida. It can tolerate brief dry spells but performs best with adequate moisture; well-drained 'dry' settings require frequent watering to prevent stress.
Soil & Fertilizer
Best in moist to wet, loamy or sandy soil; Mecardonia naturally colonizes pond margins and stream banks in Florida. Minimal fertilizer is needed — native soil enriched with organic matter suits it well. Avoid excessively dry or rocky sites.
Similar needs
Baby Tears
Shares 4 of the same needs: shade, high water, loam, and zone 9a hardiness.
From $12.95Same conditions
Macho Fern
Shares 4 of the same needs: shade, high water, loam, and zone 9a hardiness.
From $14.95Same conditions
Maidenhair Fern
Shares 4 of the same needs: shade, high water, loam, and zone 9a hardiness.
From $7.95Same conditions
Palm Grass
Shares 4 of the same needs: shade, high water, loam, and zone 9a hardiness.
From $12.95Same conditions
Southern Wood Fern
Shares 4 of the same needs: shade, high water, sandy, and zone 9a hardiness.
From $9.95Same conditions
Strawberry Bush
Shares 4 of the same needs: shade, high water, sandy, and zone 9a hardiness.
From $24.95Same conditions
You may also like
Common questions
Is Mecardonia a good plant for St. Augustine?
Mecardonia is a groundcover for Zone 9b coastal Florida gardens, reaching 3-6 inches × 12-18 inches.
Care information verified from
Last reviewed February 2026. Our care guidance comes from trusted horticulture sources and decades of helping St. Augustine gardeners. Conditions here can vary dramatically from one area to the next, so come ask us and we'll tailor it to your yard.