Great questions

My thoughts exactly. I'm still unclear on the differences and why you would choose one over, maybe it's just that Kurapia is sterile like you suggested? IDK

Hi, I know your post is a year old, so I am wondering if you chose a ground cover, and if so, did you go with either of these? I have read that Phyla Nodiflora (the CA native) is relatively easy to remove from areas it’s not wanted, so I expect that even if it pops up from seed in a garden bed or something, it is easily able to be removed (or maybe even moved to a spot where it’s needed as turf). And that it can be edged to contain it to the area where it belongs? I’ve seen some that use it as a living mulch in beds to suppress weeds, as opposed to using it like a lawn or turf. I’m in CA and planning to use it around flagstones as a step-able living mulch - we are replacing most of our previous lawn area with beds for roses, lavender, native wildflowers and flowering shrubs for pollinators, and added a lemon tree. But a lawn is a large empty space that’s hard to make enjoyable without structure, so first business was a new pathway across the front garden to better access the side yard and driveway, and there’s a more informal path of stepping stones around the tree so the flower beds can be accessed. There’s room for more structure; maybe a garden bench, maybe a small water feature for pollinators or birds, but I though that around the pathways would be the perfect place to add some low-growing green plants that will help keep the house and garden cooler, less dry looking, and keep the dirt and dust down. Elfin thyme is very popular here, so is dymondia, but I wanted to prioritize a native plant first, if one was suitable, even if I incorporate some sections of other “step-ables”. For me, if it pops up in other bed as a “weed” but it’s a native plant, especially one that benefits pollinators, it’s way less of a big deal to me than the non-natives doing the same. Also, I’ve spent the last year battling bermuda grass (at one point, the whole lawn must have been bermuda) and it’s a complete menace. No plant that reseeds itself could be worse than bermuda’s deep rhizomes, where the tiniest chunk left behind or the deepest root with no light and water comes back from the dead repeatedly- it’s like the Hydra, growing more heads as you cut them off!

Joel, thank you for your comment. how is your kurapia sod doing and what company did you get your sod from?

Hi Michelle! Yes, both plants are highly drought tolerant. The rate of how quickly they'd cover and area varies based on multiple factors but anywhere between a few weeks to a couple of months for full coverage. The native Lippia is currently available in plug form and we have Kurapia in sod form only.

Same plant no difference. Only differences that could be worth considering is kurapia is sterile, and gives the option of a pink variety. Otherwise your only paying for a name.

@@BryceGarling Thank you! Very helpful! I am in the process of converting my lawn and have decided to go with frog fruit and this question has continued to nag at me! You’ve helped reassure me that I made the right choice.

Frogfruit is native to Texas also. Texas nurseries sell frogfruit, at least in the Austin area.

I've heard kurapia is hardy and pets cause no issue to it other than if they dig in it but what plant or grass wouldn't be effected by digging? This video is the first I've heard of the lippia so don't know much about it but I'm curious from an above comment about its seed producing and if that will cause it to grow everywhere in the yard being spread by wind or birds or from trimming edging ect. Please share anything you have discovered thanks cheers

Not totally true, native lipia flowers and seeds thus is more invasive vs Kurapia that is hybridsized thus does not seed and as invasive asnative lipia. It is more than just 'slapping a name on it' as you just mentioned.

@@alcambero Since when are natives considered invasives?

@BryceGarling When it is grown without thought of its growing chacterisics in a URBAN landscape application. When it us used as a possible lawn alternative. Your point is well taken, though when you consider a native landscape, is by diffenition free to be as they are growing to be...👍