Meadow Foxtail Plant Care
Alopecurus pratensis L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Alopecurus pratensis, known as the meadow foxtail or the field meadow foxtail, is a perennial grass belonging to the grass family (Poaceae). It is native to Europe and Asia.
Every 3–5 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Meadow Foxtail?
Water Meadow Foxtail 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 Meadow Foxtail Native To?
- Albania
- Austria
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- The Netherlands
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
What Is the Meadow Foxtail?
Meadow Foxtail (Alopecurus pratensis) belongs to the Poaceae family within the Alopecurus genus. Meadow Foxtail is native to Europe and Asia. Meadow Foxtail is also known as Common Foxtail, Tussock Grass.
Meadow Foxtail displays an upright, clumping grass growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Meadow Foxtail produces small, inconspicuous flowers in terminal panicles.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Meadow Foxtail?
Alopecurus pratensis 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 Meadow Foxtail Need?
Meadow Foxtail thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Meadow Foxtail Prefer?
Alopecurus pratensis grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Meadow Foxtail prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Meadow Foxtail?
Moist, well-draining loamy soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Meadow Foxtail to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Meadow Foxtail?
Feed Meadow Foxtail 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 Meadow Foxtail?
Divide and repot every 2-3 years in early spring. 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 Meadow Foxtail?
Meadow Foxtail can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to water foxtail plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Meadow Foxtail Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Meadow Foxtail, 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 Meadow Foxtail?
Meadow Foxtail 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 Meadow Foxtail Need?
Meadow Foxtail grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Meadow Foxtail is native to Europe and Asia. In cooler regions, grow Meadow Foxtail as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Meadow Foxtail 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 Alopecurus genus — compare its care with other Alopecurus species on PlantoScan.
Alopecurus is part of the Poaceae plant family — browse all Poaceae genera and species.
Meadow Foxtail thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Alopecurus Species
Other Alopecurus species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Alopecurus pratensis L., family Poaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 60 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Meadow Foxtail, 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.
Identify Plants Like the
Meadow Foxtail Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species