Coppery Carpet Acaena microphylla 'Kupferteppich'
ABOUT
Acaena microphylla 'Kupferteppich', commonly known as the Copper Carpet, is a distinctive ground-cover plant. It features small, rounded foliage that takes on a bronzy copper color, giving it a warm and inviting appearance that changes with the seasons. The leaves are dense and create a mat-like formation that spreads across the ground, akin to a richly textured carpet. Each leaf is finely divided, providing intricate detail upon closer inspection. Adding to its allure, the Copper Carpet produces burr-like flower heads that may remind one of tiny, reddish-brown spiky balls. These blooms can provide a delightful contrast to the foliage, both in texture and color. After flowering, the plant may also display distinctive seed heads that persist on the plant, adding further visual interest throughout the growing season. The Copper Carpet is appreciated for its ability to add both color and texture to the garden with its low-growing characteristic and attractive foliage. It can serve as an excellent ground cover, filling in spaces between other plants or paving, and forming a naturalistic, carpet-like layer over the soil. Overall, its coppery tones and textural qualities make it a charming and valuable addition to a garden setting.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Rosaceae.
Synonyms
Copper Carpet, Bronze Carpet, Biddy-Biddy.
Common names
Acaena microphylla 'Kupferteppich'.
ToxicityTo humans
The plant commonly known as Copper Carpet is not widely recognized for being toxic to humans. There is little to no information available that suggests that ingesting any part of the Copper Carpet plant brings about poisonous effects or adverse symptoms in humans. As with many plants, individual sensitivities can vary, and it is always advised to be cautious and avoid ingesting plant material that is not explicitly meant for consumption.
To pets
Copper Carpet is not commonly known to be toxic to pets. There is limited information on the Copper Carpet plant causing toxicity in domestic animals. However, as with any plant, individual reactions in pets can vary, and some may experience gastrointestinal upset if they consume parts of the plant. It's always best to discourage pets from eating plants to avoid potential issues.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Red
Height
0.1 feet (3 cm)
Spread
1.6 feet (50 cm)
Plant type
Creeper
Hardiness zones
6
Native area
New Zealand
Benefits
General Benefits- Low maintenance – Acaena microphylla 'Kupferteppich', also known as Copper Carpet, is easy to care for due to its drought tolerance once established.
- Ground cover – Its dense growth habit allows it to cover bare spots in the garden, providing a lush, green carpet.
- Erosion control – The plant’s roots help stabilize soil on slopes, reducing the risk of erosion.
- Attracts wildlife – Copper Carpet produces burr-like fruits that attract birds and small mammals.
- Garden aesthetics – With its coppery-green foliage and attractive texture, it adds a unique visual appeal to garden landscapes.
- Winter interest – The foliage of Copper Carpet maintains its color in winter, providing year-round interest in the garden.
- Tolerant of foot traffic – This plant can withstand light walking, making it suitable for garden paths or between stepping stones.
- Suppresses weeds – The dense mat of foliage can help suppress weed growth by blocking sunlight to the soil below.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Ground cover: Acaena microphylla 'Kupferteppich', commonly known as Copper Carpet, can be used as a low-maintenance ground cover that provides a dense mat to suppress weeds and cover bare spots in a garden.
- Rock gardens: The plant's texture and color are ideal for adding interest and contrast to rock gardens, where it can settle into crevices and spread over rocky terrain.
- Erosion control: With its ability to spread and root along the stems, Copper Carpet can help stabilize slopes and areas prone to erosion, holding the soil in place.
- Garden pathways: Planted alongside or between stepping stones, this Acaena can endure light foot traffic and provides a soft edge to garden paths.
- Lawn alternative: In areas with low foot traffic, Copper Carpet can serve as a drought-tolerant lawn substitute that requires less maintenance and water than traditional lawns.
- Green roofing: Due to its shallow root system and tolerance for dry conditions, Copper Carpet can be used on green roofs to create a living roofscape that requires minimal upkeep.
- Fauna habitat: The dense mat of the plant offers shelter and habitat to a variety of small garden creatures such as insects and beneficial pollinators.
- Living mulch: Copper Carpet can act as a living mulch, helping to retain moisture in the soil and regulate soil temperature while adding visual appeal to garden beds.
- Decorative container planting: Its cascading habit and unique coppery hue make it a great choice for spilling over the edges of pots and containers for a decorative effect.
- Seasonal interest: The foliage of Copper Carpet can turn more vibrant shades of copper-orange in the fall, adding seasonal color to the garden when many other plants are fading.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Bronze Carpet is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Bronze Carpet is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Resilience: The Acaena microphylla 'Kupferteppich', commonly known as Copper Carpet, is known for its hardiness and ability to withstand challenging conditions, symbolizing resilience and the capacity to endure difficulties.
- Growth: Copper Carpet spreads rapidly, covering ground efficiently, which can symbolize growth, expansion, and the ability to thrive in various circumstances.
- Protection: This plant forms a dense mat that can protect the soil underneath, representing a shield or protective layer against external forces.
WaterThe Copper Carpet needs to be watered regularly, ensuring the soil is kept consistently moist but never waterlogged. During the growing season, water moderately, providing about 1 inch of water per week. Adjust watering during the rainy season or drier months, observing the soil moisture level; it should not dry out completely. Pay extra attention to watering if the Copper Carpet is in containers, as they can dry out faster. Reduce watering during the winter when the plant is not actively growing.
LightThe Copper Carpet thrives best in full sun to partial shade. An ideal spot would receive morning sunlight and afternoon shade, or dappled shade throughout the day. Avoid deep shade as it can cause the plant to grow less vigorously and develop fewer of the characteristic coppery tones.
TemperatureThe Copper Carpet can tolerate a wide range of temperatures but prefers conditions between 60°F and 75°F. It can withstand minimum temperatures down to around 0°F but is generally frost hardy. The ideal growing conditions are not too hot, maintaining a temperate climate for optimal growth.
PruningCopper Carpet benefits from occasional pruning to maintain its dense, mat-like growth and to remove any brown or damaged foliage. Pruning is best done in the early spring before new growth begins. Light pruning can be performed as needed throughout the growing season to keep the plant tidy.
CleaningAs needed
SoilCopper Carpet prefers well-draining soil with some organic matter, a pH range of 6.0 to 7.5 being ideal for its growth; sand or loam-based mixes work well.
RepottingCopper Carpet does not typically require frequent repotting due to its shallow root system; every 2-3 years or when growth exceeds the container.
Humidity & MistingCopper Carpet thrives in average humidity levels typical of outdoor environments and does not require high humidity when grown indoors.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place Copper Carpet in bright, indirect light with well-draining soil.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun to part shade with well-draining soil and space.
Hardiness zone
6-9 USDA
Life cycleThe life cycle of Acaena microphylla 'Kupferteppich', commonly known as Copper Carpet, begins with seed germination, where the plant emerges from its seed state to develop a small rosette of leaves that are finely dissected, coppery-green in color. As it matures, it forms a dense, low-growing groundcover, sprawling outward through rhizomes. It blooms in the summer, producing inconspicuous red to burgundy flowers that stand just above the foliage, followed by burr-like seed heads that offer ornamental interest. After pollination, seeds develop and are dispersed, often by sticking to animals, or by wind, enabling the proliferation of new plants. In winter, the plant may die back, especially in colder climates, but will resprout from its root system when the weather warms. The Copper Carpet is a perennial plant, completing its cycle by regrowing each year from the same root structure while continuing to spread and establish more coverage on the ground.
PropogationPropogation time
Early spring
The most popular method of propagating the Acaena microphylla 'Kupferteppich', commonly known as Bronze Carpet, is through division. This is best done in the spring or early fall to allow the plant plenty of time to establish itself before the onset of extreme weather, be it hot summer or cold winter. To propagate by division, one should carefully dig up the parent plant, ensuring a good amount of root is attached to each clump. These divisions should then be replanted immediately at the same soil depth they were growing originally. The plant should be kept well-watered until it is established, which usually takes a few weeks. This method is straightforward and ensures that the new plants are true to the parent in terms of their characteristics.
