This plant prefers moist to well-drained soil. While it can tolerate some dryness, you will want to water it frequently.

Plant Arenaria in full sun or part shade. Arenaria does best in soil that is sandy and not very rich, so hold back on fertilizers. Sandy, chalky, or loamy soils are just fine. This plant which is so ideal for a xeriscape, or low-water planting area, will look fresh and healthy even when other plants seem parched. There is no need to trim it or cut it back. Hardy in Zones 4-8, but it will not do well in Zones 7 and 8 if there is high humidity.

This unusual plant grows as a moss but in the sun. Arenaria 'Wallowa Mountians' is a non-flowering form of Sandwort. It develops a bright green mat with very tiny evergreen leaves which stay neat and tidy. It will grow well as a ground cover, in a fairy garden where it can serve as a "lawn", in rock gardens, or in containers. It can even be grown between flagstones or on a path.

For more information please see our article on choosing, locating, planting and maintaining ground cover plants.