PlantFun
Plant Needs
Sunlight
Thrives in full sun to partial shade; tolerant of reflected heat and low-nutrient growing conditions
Watering
Drought-tolerant; water only during extended 2+ week dry spells to avoid root rot
Temperature
Cool-season grass; tolerates light spring frost and avoids extreme heat above 30°C
Characteristics
- Leaf: Narrow, flat or inrolled bright green blades up to 10 cm long
- Stem: Slender, geniculate (bent) at nodes, branching near the base
- Inflorescence: Open panicle with delicate, purplish spikelets
Care Guide
Watering
Water only if top 5 cm of soil is completely dry for 2+ weeks
Fertilization
No regular fertilization needed; avoid high-nitrogen feeds. High-nitrogen fertilizers can promote excessive, weak growth
Composted coffee grounds tea：Use fully composted grounds, dilute 1:40 with water for root drench; avoid applying undiluted grounds to prevent soil acidificationPruning
- Trim back spent seed heads in late summer to limit self-seeding if desired
- Remove dead, brown foliage in early spring to encourage new growth
- Maintain height at 5–10 cm if used as a low groundcover; avoid heavy mowing
Toxicity
Warning: this plant may be toxic.
Pets & Humans
Pets: ASPCA: Non-toxic to cats; no adverse effects from ingestion
Humans: No toxic effects reported for human ingestion or contact
Garden Uses & Culture
Culture: N/A
Usage: Groundcover, erosion control for dry slopes, wildflower meadow component
