Sporobolus africanus
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Sporobolus africanus

Rat-tail grass · African Dropseed · Parramatta grass · Rat’s tail grass

Tier 2 Difficulty: easy Water: low Light: full_sun
Temperature
15–37 °C
Soil pH
6–8
Hardiness
Zone 8–11
Click count
17
Observations
10

Description

Source: wikipedia (CC BY-SA)

Sporobolus africanus, or rat's tail grass, is a true grass in the tribe Zoysieae.

Care Guide

💧 Water
☀️ Light Full sun

Rat-tail grass is a perennial herbaceous plant fond of sunshine that originates from open spaces. It typically thrives in meadows and grasslands. Although it prefers full sunlight, it can manage under conditions of partial sun.

Ideal: Full sun
🌡️ Temperature 15–37.8°C

Rat-tail grass is native to tropical areas where the weather tends to be hot and moist. Due to this, it has adapted well to humidity and high temperatures. This plant shows an aversion to unexpected temperature swings and favors a consistent temperature setting, which is why it's crucial to prevent any sudden changes in temperature indoors. Generally, it does not survive well in cold climates and needs warmer temperatures to grow. If the surrounding temperature falls excessively, the plant might halt growth or potentially perish.

Ideal temperature: 15–37.8°C
💨 Humidity
Humidity:
🪴 Soil 6-8
Soil pH: 6-8
🌱 Fertilizer

Rat-tail grass needs extra nourishment to foster robust new development. In the springtime, supplying some compost near the plant's base could proficiently deliver the vital nutrients it requires. Fertilization contributes to promoting intense growth and assists the plant in warding off diseases and pests.

🪴 Pot & Repot
✂️ Pruning

Rat-tail grass is a perennial plant characterized by its long, slender flower spikes. To maintain its health and appearance, prune it in early spring by cutting back the old foliage and preserving the green shoots. Regularly thinning the plant helps prevent overcrowding, enhances air circulation, controls its spread, and improves the overall health and aesthetics of the landscape.

🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity

Characteristics

Plant Type
Grass
Life Cycle
Perennial
Genus
Sporobolus
Family
Poaceae
Hardiness Zone
8-11
Mature Height
30 cm to 91 cm
Mature Spread
20 cm to 40 cm
Leaf Color
Green
Leaf Type
Evergreen
Flower Size
0.20 cm to 0.25 cm
Bloom Time
Summer, Early fall, Mid fall
Planting Time
Spring, Summer, Autumn
Harvest Time
Late summer, Fall, Early winter
Native Area
Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia, Lesotho, Malawi, Angola, Namibia, South Africa, Madagascar, Rwanda, Zambia, Nigeria, Yemen, Kenya, Niger, Uganda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, Burundi, Mozambique, Ghana, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Congo (DRC), Botswana

Tags (6)

Common Names (4)

en Rat-tail grass
en African Dropseed
en Parramatta grass
en Rat’s tail grass