Groundcovers that should be monitored
Some groundcovers are not such serious nuisances as the above, but it is wise to watch their progress so that you keep them just where you want them.
Dichondra
Dichondra (Dichondra repens) is often recommended as a lawn substitute and is effective as such, but only as an ornamental lawn since it does not tolerate being walked on. What you must be vigilant for is dichondra creeping into a grass lawn, as its stems are so fine and fragile that you cannot pick them all out, and pieces left behind will regenerate. The same problem arises if dichondra makes its way between bricks in paths.
Spider plant
Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) develops long arching stems with plantlets at the end that take root if they touch soil. Progress is rapid along reticulation lines, and when you pull plants out, root fragments remain. Ideal places to grow spider plant are hanging baskets or confined, raised beds where the plantlets can hang in mid-air.
Alyssum
Alyssum (Lobularia maritima) self-seeds prolifically. This is not too much of a problem in a garden, as seedlings are easily pulled out. However, watch out for alyssum appearing on your road verge, because from there it can seed itself further and further away, which has led to it becoming an environmental weed in some coastal areas.
Native violet
Native violet (Viola hederacea) is very vigorous once it is well established, so monitor its spread. In particular it becomes a problem if it has access to damp ground.
Heartleaf iceplant
Heartleaf iceplant (Aptenia cordifolia) is a useful groundcover, especially for binding a loose soil surface. However, it often harbours snails which are attracted to the cool, damp shade beneath its dense mat of stems.
