Overview
Brass buttons, Leptinella squalida (formerly Cotula squalida), is an unusual, very low-growing plant in the daisy family (Compositae). This is one of about 30 species in this genus occurring in Australasia and southern South America. In its native New Zealand this creeping herbaceous perennial is found in open, damp places in lowland to sub-alpine regions of North, South and Stewart Islands. Hardy in zones 5a to 10a, it only grows about half an inch to 2 inches high but spreads to form dense mats of foliage up to 12 to 14 inches wide.
The feathery or fern-like leaves are a dull grayish-green with gray, purple, and black tints. The delicate-looking leaves grow up to 2 inches long and ½ inch wide (but are often much smaller). This species is evergreen in mild climates (zones 9a or warmer); its leaves will remain under snow cover in colder climates (although they turn rather reddish or dark colored rather than their normal green) but plants die back to the ground when exposed. If plants do die back over the winter they will not look their best early in the spring. The leaves fill in by late spring and look good throughout the rest of the growing season. In autumn the leaves turn a bronze, brassy or purple color.
Tiny, yellowish-green to gold flowers are produced in summer. Flowers are composed of just central disk flowers of a typical daisy flower (called disciform), but without the white ray flowers, so they appear like miniature buttons. This flower form gives rise to the common name brass buttons.
Flowers are followed by tiny capsular fruit. The flowers and fruit are not very conspicuous, however, partly because of the size, but also because their color doesn’t stand out from the foliage. Because of its short stature and small flowers, most people don’t bother to deadhead plantings. However, a lawn mower could be used to remove spent flowers on larger plantings.
Landscape Use of Brass Buttons
Brass buttons does best in full sun in cooler climates, but needs part shade in hotter climates. It prefers acidic, loamy soil rich in organic matter, but adapts to many other soil types. Because it is very shallow rooted, it does best with annual fertilization except in very fertile soils. It is not drought tolerant and needs regular watering, especially on light soils. It does not do well in compacted soil and may need to be lifted and replaced after loosening and amending the soil if it is languishing after a few years. It has few insect or disease problems.
This plant spreads vigorously by rhizomatous runners just under or on the soil surface. In heavy clay, it spreads more slowly than when grown on light soils. It will continue to spread indefinitely as new sections root. It can be easily propagated by division in spring or early fall – just dig up a clump, cut it into pieces and move it to another spot. Space newly purchased plants about a 9 to 12 inches apart.
Brass buttons is typically used as a ground cover for small areas, in rock gardens and as a turf substitute in mild climates. It tolerates very light foot traffic, so it is well suited to grow between flagstones or along the edges of pathways. Combine it with Scotch moss (Sagina subulata) for good contrast in texture between stepping stones. It can be a good stand-in for moss in places that are too sunny for most mosses or makes an interesting addition to containers as a ground cover under larger plants.
The very small scale of L. squalida make it a good addition to a fairy garden or other miniature landscape for its fern-like appearance.
Cultivars of Brass Buttons
- ‘Platt’s Black’, a sport discovered in the garden of Jane Platt of Portland, Oregon, is the most commonly available named variety. It has nearly black leaves with bright green tips and dark-colored flowers. Some people like it but other think it looks blighted or dying. This variety is particularly good in contrast with bright green, gold or chartreuse-foliaged companion plants, such as golden Scotch moss.
- L. minor, alpine brass buttons, is similar but more low growing, reaching just ½ to 1 inch tall, with dark green leaves tinted with bronze.
- L. potentillina, verdigris brass buttons, is similar, but lower growing (1 to 2 inches tall) and has purplish foliage.
- L. pusilla (sometimes listed as L. perpusilla is sometimes offered. It is similar, but with more purplish foliage and chartreuse flowers.
Author: Susan Mahr, University of Wisconsin—Madison
Reviewers: Allen R. Pyle, Horticulture Outreach Specialist, Bruce Spangenberg, Horticulture Outreach Specialist, UW—Madison Extension
Revised: September 2026
