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Cotula spp.

brass buttons

Asteraceae

Southern Hemisphere: South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and South America

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Deer Resistant Container Friendly

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 6–10

Overview

Cotula spp. is a genus of around 55 species of low, mat-forming herbs in the daisy family (Asteraceae), most numerous in the Southern Hemisphere across South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and southern South America, with some species now naturalised widely. The common name brass buttons comes from the small, rayless, button-like flower heads. Plants are creeping annuals or perennials that root as they spread, forming dense mats only 1 to 6 inches (2.5 to 15 cm) tall and 8 to 24 inches (20 to 60 cm) or more across. The leaves are small and either fleshy or finely cut and fern-like, depending on the species, and range from green to bronze. From spring into summer, slender stalks lift many small, flat, yellow or cream flower heads, 0.2 to 0.5 inch (5 to 12 mm) across, just above the foliage. Plants grow in damp ground, lawn edges, paving cracks, and bog margins, tolerating light foot traffic in the lower kinds. Many spread quickly and some have become weedy outside their native range.

Native Range

Native mainly to the Southern Hemisphere, including South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and southern South America, with several species naturalised in other regions.

Suggested Uses

Grown as a low groundcover, lawn substitute, and filler between stepping stones and pavers, and the moisture-loving kinds suit bog and pond margins. Suited to rock gardens and damp, lightly trafficked paths.

How to Identify

Look for low, creeping mats that root along the stems, with small leaves that are fleshy or finely cut and fern-like. Slender stalks carry many small, flat, rayless yellow or cream button-like flower heads just above the foliage. The dense, ground-hugging habit is characteristic.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1" - 6"

Width/Spread8" - 2'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~10 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowering runs from spring into summer, when many small rayless flower heads are held just above the mat. The button-like heads are yellow or cream. Bloom can continue over a long period in mild, moist conditions.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Yellow to cream

Foliage Description

Green to bronze

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 4-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand clay

Drainagemoist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1-2 years to form a mat

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Most species grow in full sun to part shade on moist, freely draining soils with pH from 5.5 to 7.5. Water needs are medium, and many species prefer ground that stays damp. Hardiness varies, with many kinds suited to roughly USDA zones 6 to 10. The mat-forming species tolerate light foot traffic and are used between pavers. Vigorous spreaders can overrun smaller neighbours, so placement matters.

Pruning

Mats can be trimmed or mown lightly to keep them flat and within bounds. Spent flower stalks are sheared off as they fade. Sections that spread too far are lifted and pulled back in spring.

Pruning Schedule

early spring

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 1 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Unknown