Tired of your dull and typical-looking lawn? SAY NO MORE!
Get a Blue Star Creeper lawn, and you’ll be amazed at the change!
Why Blue Star Creeper? Because it is one of the best ground cover alternatives you’ll find.
It is gorgeous. It is easy to grow. And thrives in almost any environment.
More importantly, it grows almost the same way as your lawn – so it can replace it in its entirety.
Want to know more about it? We explain it all below!
What is a Blue Star Creeper Exactly?
Let’s start with its botanical name: Isotoma fluviatilis (or Laurentis fluviatilis). But you can find it as the Swamp Isotome, or its most popular name, the Blue Star Creeper.
It is the most popular name given how fast it grows. But more importantly, HOW it grows.
As a fast-growing plant that produces dense foliage, it is often confused with grass. But it is actually an herb.
What is the difference? Well, as an herb, it grows via rhizomes. These rhizomes spread across large areas, sometimes covering over 18 inches in just one year (per seed).
The real difference, however, is the sturdiness of the plant. It is tolerant to different weather conditions. You can grow it in places with little rain, and it will stay healthy for longer than any grass would. You could also grow it in highly humid areas, and as long as the soil is well-draining, the plant will thrive.
Also, it can grow to only 3-4 inches high and produces gorgeous flowers. These flowers are often white with light blue or light purple touches.
The plant is more likely to bloom in slightly cold areas. Yet, it is native to Australia and New Zealand, so it also withstands hot and sunny environments.
Lastly, it looks almost exactly like grass when it is not blooming (most of the year), making it a perfect lawn alternative for your backyard or patio as a grass carpet.
Types of Blue Star Creeper to Consider
If you’re just learning about the plant, you’ll be happy to know there are various types of Blue Star Creeper to consider. Here are two of the most common:
Isotoma fluviatilis (ssp. Australis)
The leaves on the Australis subspecies are often slightly larger and thicker than the typical Blue Star Creeper. It is likely to grow in humid places over dry ones. For this species, the flower tends to achieve a light-purple or pink color.
Isotoma fluviatilis (ssp. Borealis)
The Borealis subspecies is very similar to the Australis, often confused. But this one has a crucial difference in the flowers.
While the Australis boasts purple-to-pink corollas, the Borealis has predominantly white flowers with a hairy center (often yellow).
The leaves are slightly thinner and less dense than in the Australis cousin.
What Does the Blue Star Creeper Need?
Done with the types? Let’s learn about its requirements.
Spacing and Potting
It depends on whether you’re planting it to replace a lawn as quick as you want or whether you just want to have it as an ornamental.
For lawn replacement, you’ll want to plant as many seeds as possible at 8 inches apart each. The same if you’re growing from divisions. This would help it cover more space quickly.
But if you’re growing for mere decorative purposes, make it grow at 12 inches apart and make sure it will not overgrow the other plants around.
And for those who like growing herbs in pots, this one is a perfect choice. It doesn’t care as long as you can ensure a well-draining pot that doesn’t get soggy.
Soil and Fertilizer
You can grow the Blue Star Creeper almost anywhere as long as the soil is well-draining. In fact, it thrives in different pH levels, going from as low as 6.0 to as high as 7.8.
The plant is so easy to grow that you can plant it on unfertilized soil, and it will thrive. You don’t need fertilizer after planting either. And in most cases, fertilizing the plant can be counterproductive, as it can make it grow way too fast.
But if you want to ensure it gets all its nutrients, use a slow-release lawn fertilizer sparingly, only once or twice a year (especially at first).
Water and Humidity
This plant also requires little to no watering to thrive. As an Australian and New Zealand native, it grows in many different areas, including dry, almost desertic ones.
That doesn’t mean it is a desertic plant, though. In fact, it is more of a humidity lover. With sufficient moisture in the hottest seasons, it is likely to grow better and withstand the cold from winters.
Generally, you want to water it at least once a week. In humid places, you’ll need to avoid overwatering as the rhizomes are susceptible to rotting.
Light and Air
Like most herbs, the Blue Star Creeper thrives under the sun. Therefore, we recommend planting it wherever it can receive direct sunlight for at least 6 hours a day.
You can make it work in partial shade, but it is not the best idea. Especially in moist environments, a lack of sunlight can be fatal to the plant (or prevent it from growing properly and even blooming).
It doesn’t need any wind to grow.
Temperature and Environment
While the plant can grow in hardiness zones as low as 6 (can reach -4 degrees Fahrenheit), it prefers hardiness zones 9 (at least 20 degrees Fahrenheit). Anything higher than that could cause a bit of trouble, but it will still survive. However, if you go lower, the plant may not grow.
Luckily, it is a winter-hardy plant. Meaning it will not die from frosts or deep snow. And it will still bloom in the spring afterward.
You can grow it either outdoors or indoors. But it struggles in enclosed areas, so be careful.
How to Grow Blue Star Creeper
With a better idea of what it needs, you should plant it and help it grow. Here are some steps to follow:
Decide Which Method to Use
There are two ways to grow a Blue Star Creeper: directly from the seed or from a division.
If you go for the seed method, you’ll want to wait for up to 15 days for the plant to sprout.
In the case of divisions, it is vital to have complete rhizomes. Here, you can expect the plant to start growing in a week or so.
Obviously, using seeds requires more time and is a bit more complicated. But it gives you the whole experience. If you go for divisions, you’ll do it faster and more easily as long as you plant it correctly.
Prepare the Soil
Whether you’re planting in a garden, lawn, or pot, you need to use the ideal soil. Luckily, this is not much of a problem.
For seeds, you only need a seed starting mix. You don’t even need fertilizer in this case, as the mix typically comes boosted.
But for divisions, you will need typical lawn soil or something sufficiently well-draining. Then, you’ll have to mix it with some fertilizer.
Plant the Blue Star Creeper
Now you can start planting, given you have the pot, lawn, or garden with the soil waiting.
To plant seeds, you’ll have to open a small hole, preferably no more than 1 inch deep, and insert the seed. Cover the hole and compact it a little. If you’re planting many seeds, place them at no less than 6 inches apart.
For divisions, you will need to open a hole large enough that covers the entire rhizomes (roots) of the plant. That’s usually between 2 and 4 inches deep. You will need at least 8 inches of space between divisions to prevent them from consuming each other’s nutrients.
Nurture the Plant
Once planted, you only need to water once a week in humid places and every 3-4 days in dry ones.
At the same time, make sure they receive proper sunlight. For seeds, especially, this is essential. Keep the pot in a lighted area for at least 8 hours a day.
And for divisions, they should be well-exposed to sun rays too. Preferably, 6 to 8 hours a day.
Let the plant grow and you’ll see results in no time. Two weeks should be enough for the seed to sprout. And the divisions should start growing within a week.
In 3 to 4 months, the plant will start growing and spreading. That’s a sign you’ve planted it and grown it properly.
How to Take Care of a Blue Star Creeper
Even though the Blue Star Creeper is a tough plant that rarely suffers, it is still recommended to take good care of it.
This includes the following:
Keep it Well-Drained
The most dangerous thing for the Swam Isotome is a fungal infection. And it happens, almost 100% of the time, due to overwatering or soils that don’t drain well.
That’s why you must focus on watering JUST enough, that means only when the soil is dry. And more importantly, keeping the plant in places where the soil is allowed to dry (pots that drain well and gardens with direct sunlight exposure).
Prune When Necessary
Once the plant reaches 2 or 3 inches tall, you can always prune it down a bit. The reason? It will start growing much more densely and beautifully afterward. Especially before the winter, you can keep it smaller to reach spring with fewer hardy areas that need revival.
Control Its Growth (If Needed)
This is more of a warning than it is a tip for caring. If you don’t slow the plant down, it will easily overgrow other plants and invade the whole garden.
To prevent that, you can always turn the soil over and get it out in specific areas. We also recommend using stones and pavement as a blockade.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Blue Star Creeper poisonous to dogs?
It is dangerous to dogs, and it is dangerous to cats, bunnies, rabbits, deer, and even humans. The plant is toxic and can cause severe skin damage to sensitive people. So be careful around it. Plant it in a safe area if possible.
How fast does Blue Star Creeper grow?
It is one of the fastest-growing herbs out there, sometimes growing up to 3 inches in 2 years. And it can cover areas as large as 15 feet in less than 3 years.
Is Blue Star Creeper invasive?
Yes. It is so fast-growing that it will likely cover an entire garden or lawn before you even notice.
When does Blue Star Creeper bloom?
It blooms like most other plants in the spring. But you may also find it blooming in the late fall, so you can enjoy its flowers in different seasons.
Is Blue Star Creeper a perennial?
Yes. As long as the environment makes it possible, the plant can last a lifetime without problems.
Conclusion
So, does the Blue Star Creeper sound like the perfect addition to your garden?
Feel like it could replace your lawn?
Love how beautiful its flowers are?
Either way, you can start growing it right away.
This plant is gorgeous and can be the ideal replacement for grasss. So, what are you waiting for? IT won’t grow itself – so get to work!