Pratia: Planting, Growing and Care

Description and Botany

The Pratia is a perennial groundcover plant from the Campanulaceae family. The genus includes around twenty species native to Australia and New Zealand, with Pratia pedunculata or Isotoma fluviatilis and its cultivars being the most common in our gardens. You may also encounter Pratia angulata with its zygomorphic flowers, meaning they display particular symmetry.

It forms a very dense mat, with long ramified stems that root at each node and an underground root network extending about ten centimetres deep, spreading quickly sideways. This allows the plant to colonise the soil surface, theoretically without limits. The height of the mat won’t exceed 3 to 5 cm.

This pretty plant can become invasive, but it forms a lovely flowering cushion that can replace lawn in less trodden areas of the garden.

Pratia pedunculata and Frankenia laevis

Its short running stems bear small leaves 5 to 10 mm long, more or less evergreen depending on winter severity. They are alternate, bright green to soft green in colour, ovate in shape, delicately dentate at the edges, resembling water droplets. In case of pronounced summer drought, the foliage dries out and becomes deciduous, but the plant eventually reappears when rains return.

Flowering is abundant in spring, usually May-June, then often continues through July until autumn, sometimes until frost if the soil remains moist. Tiny star-shaped, solitary, upright flowers dot this leafy mat. They consist of 5 petals, most often pure white, white veined with purple, or sometimes blue, like the very luminous Pratia pedunculata ‘County Park’. Borne on long peduncles, they stand out well above the foliage. They give way to small round or ovoid plum-coloured fruits.

Main species and varieties

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Planting Pratia

Where to Plant It?

Often used as an alternative to lawn in moderately trodden and small areas of the garden, as it requires regular watering (depending on the region), the Pratia works wonders in our continental gardens. Easy to grow, it will thrive in lightly shaded spots, or even full shade in regions south of the Loire, as it dislikes scorching sun during the hottest hours of summer.

To stay lush and maintain its foliage, it requires regular watering depending on the region and rainfall, though it can withstand temporary drought. Its above-ground parts disappear during prolonged drought or lack of water in summer. It prefers fresh to moist, ordinary, well-drained, humus-bearing soils. It dislikes waterlogged conditions in winter.

This vigorous groundcover retains its foliage in mild climates but will be damaged by frost below -10°C, while its root system can withstand temperatures as low as -15°C.

Very low-growing, it makes an excellent lawn alternative in neglected or lightly trodden garden areas, where it will prevent weeds from taking hold. However, it won’t tolerate heavy foot traffic.

Be sure to give it enough space, as it doesn’t tolerate competition and tends to quickly smother other plants.

It brightens up gaps between paving stones and stepping stones, softens pathway edges, or forms a beautiful woodland groundcover in hard-to-mow areas. Given its spreading—even invasive—nature, it’s best planted away from perennial beds. It also works well in Japanese or Zen gardens for minimalist compositions. It’s equally at home in pots or troughs.

Pratia pedunculata (© Peganum)

When to Plant It?

Plant Pratia in autumn (September to November) or spring (March to May), avoiding frost and drought periods.

How to Plant It?

In the ground

Plan for at least 7 young plants per square metre, spaced about 30 cm apart to allow stems to spread and ensure good coverage. If your soil is heavy, clayey, or compact, mix in river sand and compost. Loosen the soil deeply.

• Dig a hole 2–3 times wider than the root ball
• Create a drainage layer at the bottom with 10 cm of gravel
• Place the plant in the centre
• Backfill with garden soil enriched with compost
• Water thoroughly

In pots

Choose a wide, shallow container with drainage holes, allowing it to spill over attractively. Keep the substrate moist, especially in summer.

• Add a thick drainage layer (gravel or clay pebbles) at the bottom
• Plant in a well-draining mix of garden soil, compost, and coarse sand
• Water regularly

Care and Maintenance

The Pratia requires almost no maintenance. Water regularly during the first year after planting to help it establish strong roots. It does not need mowing and only requires consistent watering during drought and extreme heat. Adjust the watering frequency according to your climate: in the South of France, one to two waterings per week are often necessary to keep the foliage healthy in summer.

Weed regularly around the base until the plant is fully established and covers the soil completely.

In winter, in harsh regions, we recommend mulching the stump with a thick layer of dried leaves or straw.

If you wish to control its spread, manually remove any excess rooted stems.

In pots, the soil dries out faster than in the ground, so water regularly throughout the summer to keep the substrate moist and encourage the growth of long stems.

Pratia angulata

Propagation

Propagating Pratia is easily done by taking rooted stems.

In spring or autumn, pull up the stolons and replant them in moist, sandy soil. Ensure regular watering to encourage establishment.

Pairing

Pratia is perfect for filling gaps in paving or hard-to-reach corners. Particularly expansive once established in the garden, it’s best to avoid planting it within a rockery or a perennial border. Although it’s typically used on its own, combining it with other plants is still possible. Being highly adaptable, it thrives equally well in partial shade or full sun.

In shady areas, you could consider pairing it in minimalist compositions with horsetails, ferns, hostas, a carpet of Epimedium, and with baby’s tears (Soleirolia soleirolii), a moss-like groundcover often used in Japanese-style gardens.

Pratia, Baby’s Tears, Horsetail, and Hostas

In sunny spots, for a wilder, romantic look, place Pratia near a naturalistic border featuring ornamental grasses, scabious, yarrow, salvias, coneflowers, and a few clumps of Erigeron karvinskianus with its steely-blue hues. It can also be used to carpet the base of softly coloured roses like the climber ‘Iceberg’.

In containers, it will beautifully frame the fresh tones of spring bulbs such as tulips.

Pratia angulata, Climbing Rose ‘Iceberg’, Erigeron karvinskianus, and Scabious

→ Explore more Pratia pairing ideas in Virginie’s expert guide!