Western bentgrass Plant Care
Agrostis exarata Trin.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Agrostis exarata is a species of grass known by the common names spike bentgrass, spike bent, Pacific bentgrass, and spike redtop. It is native to western North America from Texas to the Aleutian Islands.
Every 3–5 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Western bentgrass?
Water Western bentgrass every 3–5 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 8 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Western bentgrass Native To?
What Is the Western bentgrass?
Western bentgrass (Agrostis exarata) belongs to the Poaceae family within the Agrostis genus. Western bentgrass is native to western North America from Texas to the Aleutian Islands. Western bentgrass is also known as Spike bentgrass.
Western bentgrass displays an upright, tufted grass growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Western bentgrass produces small inconspicuous flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Western bentgrass?
Agrostis exarata requires watering every 3–5 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 3–5 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Western bentgrass Need?
Western bentgrass thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Western bentgrass Prefer?
Agrostis exarata grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Western bentgrass prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Western bentgrass?
Well-draining loamy soil. Good drainage is essential for Western bentgrass to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Western bentgrass?
Feed Western bentgrass every 8 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 8 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Western bentgrass?
Rarely needs repotting. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Western bentgrass?
Western bentgrass can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to mueller's bentgrass plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Western bentgrass Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Western bentgrass, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Western bentgrass?
Western bentgrass is susceptible to aphids, grasshoppers, cutworms. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Western bentgrass Need?
Western bentgrass grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Western bentgrass is native to western North America from Texas to the Aleutian Islands. In cooler regions, grow Western bentgrass as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Western bentgrass is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Agrostis genus — compare its care with other Agrostis species on PlantoScan.
Agrostis is part of the Poaceae plant family — browse all Poaceae genera and species.
Western bentgrass thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Agrostis Species
Other Agrostis species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Agrostis exarata Trin., family Poaceae (first published in Gram. Unifl. Sesquifl. : 205 (1824)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Western bentgrass, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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