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6 min read Plants & Place

Texas Frogfruit (Phyla Nodiflora)

Texas Frogfruit (Phyla Nodiflora)

Texas Frogfruit, or Phyla nodiflora, is a fantastic low-growing, semi-evergreen groundcover native to Texas and many parts of the US.

Some think Frogfruit might be a weed since it has the potential to invade lawns. However, this Texas native groundcover can be a stellar addition, providing an abundant blanket of flowers (and, as a result, butterflies) if given the right conditions.

I’ve loved seeing the proliferation of our Frogfruit plants as they have become absolute pollinator magnets. 

Frogfruit Quick Facts

Distribution - Where Is Frogfruit Native?

Frogfruit is native to the southern and central United States. While it's well represented throughout much of Texas, it's most prolific from Central to East and Northeast Texas.

It grows along seashores, woods, and river bottoms (clearly, in moister conditions).

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The History of Frogfruit - In the Middle Ages, farmers noticed that it grew in meadows after they cut the grass for hay. Because meadows often had fog, they called this native Texas plant the “fog fruit.” Over time, the term fog fruit transformed into Frogfruit. Also, the Acadian French name for Frogfruit is "caille eau,” because they believed that Frogfruit could curdle water!

The Benefits of Frogfruit

Here are some reasons you might want to add this Texas native groundcover to your landscape.

For Your Landscape

For Wildlife

Texas Frogfruit is about the pollinators!

Planting and Care

Where Is the Best Place to Plant Frogfruit?

How Do You Care for Frogfruit?

Frogfruit can be very easy to care for. It might benefit from occasional water in drier seasons, although it shouldn't be necessary for its survival if you've planted in its native range.

Frogfruit will spread, so your biggest point of maintenance will be keeping it where you want it to be. You can mow Frogfruit, but be cautious to do so when it's in bloom–it doesn't take to that too well and apparently can take years to recover. It's also pretty easy to pull up, in my experience, so managing it isn't much of a pain.

What Are Companion Plants for Frogfruit?

Frogfruit can grow well in a pollinator garden (especially if you're looking to fill some space). I've seen recommendations to plant underneath Retama (a small tree that likewise doesn't mind more moisture).

I've planted my Frogfruit in a rainwater harvesting basin with Yaupon Holly, Flame Acanthus, and Copper Canyon Daisy.

Frogfruit lining the ground of our berm with Yaupon Holly (Top Left), Flame Acanthus (Bottom Left), and Copper Canyon Daisy (Bottom Right)

Seasons: What to Expect

Frogfruits are semi-evergreens, meaning they’ll stay green in areas with warmer winters. However, here’s what you can expect throughout the seasons.

How to Propagate the Frogfruit Plant

Propagating Frogfruit is particularly easy as Frogfruit grows from runners. Simply divide and trim your Frogfruit plant where runners have already rooted. Each node will produce roots, so you have to clip a section and transplant it into the soil.

You can transplant that Frogfruit runner elsewhere or into a container–just make sure to keep it well watered upon transplanting, especially during a warmer, drier season.

Frogfruit node with small roots

Sources

Along with my own experience working with the Texas Frogfruit in my landscape and learning from my observations out in Texas' natural places, here are all the books and resources that I consulted in producing this page:

📚 Books

🌐 Websites

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Links to some of the above-mentioned resources (books, guides, etc.) might be affiliate links. This means that if you click through those links and purchase something, we can receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!