High Country Gardens
Cotula 'Tiffindell Gold'
Best low-maintenance groundcover for gardeners seeking a drought-tolerant lawn alternative.
Discover Cotula 'Tiffindell Gold', a vigorous South African groundcover also known as Creeping Gold Buttons. This evergreen perennial boasts soft, emerald green foliage that thrives year-round. It offers a profuse display of bright yellow, button-like flowers from late spring through summer, especially with deadheading. Valued as a low-maintenance lawn substitute or for mass planting, its deep roots create a dense, weed-resistant carpet. Ideal for sunny spots, it's a drought-tolerant and deer-resistant addition to any garden, requiring minimal care.
$10.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
864
/ 3268
#864 in Landscaping & Garden Plants
Price vs Category Average
-60%
Below average
Growth Habit
Groundcover
/ Groundcover
Who it's for
- Xeriscaping enthusiasts looking for low-water, resilient plant options
- Gardeners seeking a lush, fern-like carpet for their landscape
- Homeowners needing durable groundcover for pathways and stepping stones
Who should skip it
- Impatient gardeners wanting immediate, full-coverage results
- Gardeners managing heavy clay or poorly draining soil conditions
- Residents in regions with intense, prolonged summer humidity
Performance breakdown
Groundcover Density
Forms a thick, weed-suppressing carpet that effectively mimics a traditional lawn.
Drought Tolerance
Establishes deep roots that thrive with minimal supplemental watering once settled.
Maintenance Ease
Requires very little intervention beyond occasional deadheading for consistent golden blooms.
Pest Resistance
Reliably deters deer, keeping your garden landscape intact without extra protection.
Seasonal Versatility
Evergreen foliage provides reliable color and texture throughout the entire year.
Establishment Speed
Vigorous growth habit allows for quick coverage in sunny garden spaces.
Key Specs
Growth Habit
Groundcover
Mature Height
4 inches
Mature Spread
24 inches
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
USDA Hardiness Zones
5-10
Plant Life Cycle
Perennial
Water Requirement
Low
Soil Type Preference
Well-drained
Features
- Excellent lawn substitute
- Vigorous, spreading groundcover
- Profuse golden button flowers
- Evergreen foliage for year-round interest
- Deer resistant
- Drought tolerant
- Low maintenance
- Naturalizes to form dense sod
What customers say
The sentiment surrounding Cotula 'Tiffindell Gold' centers on its remarkable quality and reliability as a groundcover. Customers consistently report receiving exceptionally healthy, vigorous plants that establish quickly. The primary praise focuses on its dependable performance, noting how rapidly it spreads to create a dense, fine textured mat. Gardeners appreciate this ease of growth and the unique aesthetic value the golden foliage brings to their landscapes, confirming it is a high value addition that performs exactly as advertised.
Know before you buy
Yes, it is an excellent lawn substitute because it forms a dense, weed-resistant carpet. However, it is best suited for low-traffic areas, as it does not tolerate heavy foot traffic as well as traditional turf grasses.
Cotula 'Tiffindell Gold' requires full sun to maintain its dense growth habit and profuse flowering. Planting it in partial shade may result in thinner foliage and fewer blooms.
No, it is quite drought-tolerant once established. While it needs regular moisture during its first season to develop deep roots, it requires very little supplemental water thereafter.
This plant is considered deer-resistant, making it a reliable choice for landscapes where wildlife pressure is a concern. While no plant is entirely deer-proof, it is generally ignored by browsing animals.
You can promote a longer, more profuse display of golden button flowers by deadheading the plant after the initial spring bloom. This encourages the plant to put energy into new flower production rather than seed development.
Cotula 'Tiffindell Gold' is hardy in USDA zones 5-10. It is an evergreen perennial, meaning it will retain its foliage year-round in most of these zones, though it may go dormant in the coldest parts of its range.
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$11