Dollarweed: A Weed, a Wildflower, or a Useful Native Plant?

If you've lived in the southern United States very long, you've probably met dollarweed. It often appears in lawns after periods of heavy rain, and many homeowners see it as an unwelcome guest. But before reaching for the herbicide, it's worth taking a closer look at this fascinating little native plant.

Dollarweed (Hydrocotyle species), sometimes called pennywort, gets its common name from its small, round leaves that resemble silver dollars. Several species of Hydrocotyle grow naturally throughout Florida in moist soils, along pond edges, and in wetlands.

Nature's Rain Gauge

Dollarweed thrives in moist or poorly drained soils. When it suddenly appears in a lawn, it often tells homeowners something important: the soil is staying too wet. Improving drainage or reducing irrigation often naturally suppresses dollarweed without the need for chemicals.

As a Florida Master Gardener Volunteer, I like to remind people that plants are excellent storytellers. Sometimes they reveal more about our landscape than we realize.

A Useful Plant for Native Americans

Long before Florida lawns existed, Native American tribes recognized dollarweed as a useful wild plant.

Several tribes, including the Seminole Tribe of Florida and the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, are believed to have used native pennywort species for both food and traditional medicine, as did many Indigenous peoples throughout the southeastern United States.

Young leaves and tender stems were eaten fresh or cooked as greens. Traditional healers prepared poultices from crushed leaves to soothe minor skin irritations, insect bites, and small wounds. Herbal teas made from pennywort were sometimes used for digestive discomfort or as a mild tonic.

Because these uses were passed down through oral tradition, details vary among tribes and regions. Modern researchers continue to study many of these traditional applications.

Early Settlers Also Found Uses

European settlers arriving in Florida soon learned from Native Americans that many wild plants could serve practical purposes.

Dollarweed found its way into spring salads or was cooked with other greens. During difficult times, especially on isolated homesteads, wild edible plants helped supplement family meals.

Early settlers also experimented with herbal remedies using dollarweed, although medicinal practices varied widely and were based largely on local knowledge rather than scientific testing.

Some gardeners intentionally grow native dollarweed in rain gardens, water features, or naturalized landscapes. Its creeping stems help stabilize moist soil, and its leaves provide shelter for small insects and other wildlife.

Should You Keep It?

The answer depends on where it's growing.

In a carefully maintained lawn, dollarweed may indicate excessive watering or poor drainage and can spread rapidly if conditions remain wet.

In a natural area, pond edge, rain garden, or wildlife habitat, dollarweed is simply doing what native plants have done for centuries—helping stabilize soil, providing habitat, and contributing to healthy ecosystems.

A New Perspective

Perhaps the next time you spot dollarweed, instead of seeing only a weed, you'll see a small piece of Florida's natural history.

This humble plant has fed people, provided traditional remedies, supported wildlife, and quietly reminded generations that healthy landscapes begin with understanding the plants that grow there naturally.

Sometimes the most overlooked plants have the richest stories to tell.