Aulonemia purpurata Plant Care
Aulonemia purpurata (McClure) McClure
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Aulonemia purpurata is a species of flowering in the family Poaceae. It is a bamboo endemic to Venezuela.
Every 7–14 days
Partial to full shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Aulonemia purpurata?
Water Aulonemia purpurata every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it partial to full shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 8 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Aulonemia purpurata Native To?
What Is the Aulonemia purpurata?
Aulonemia purpurata (Aulonemia purpurata) belongs to the Poaceae family within the Aulonemia genus. Aulonemia purpurata is native to Venezuela.
Aulonemia purpurata displays a clumping, spreading grass growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Aulonemia purpurata produces small inconspicuous flowers in spikelets.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Aulonemia purpurata?
Aulonemia purpurata requires watering every 7–14 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 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Aulonemia purpurata Need?
Aulonemia purpurata thrives in partial to full shade. The optimal light range is 100–500 lux. Avoid placing Aulonemia purpurata in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Partial to full shade
100–500 lux
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Aulonemia purpurata Prefer?
Aulonemia purpurata grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Aulonemia purpurata prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Aulonemia purpurata?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Aulonemia purpurata to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Aulonemia purpurata?
Feed Aulonemia purpurata 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 Aulonemia purpurata?
Divide clumps every 2-3 years. 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 Aulonemia purpurata?
Aulonemia purpurata can be propagated through division, rhizome cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to aulonemia amplissima plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Aulonemia purpurata Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Aulonemia purpurata, 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 Aulonemia purpurata?
Aulonemia purpurata is susceptible to aphids, grasshoppers, spider mites. 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 Aulonemia purpurata Need?
Aulonemia purpurata grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Aulonemia purpurata is native to Venezuela. In cooler regions, grow Aulonemia purpurata as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Aulonemia purpurata 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 Aulonemia genus — compare its care with other Aulonemia species on PlantoScan.
Aulonemia is part of the Poaceae plant family — browse all Poaceae genera and species.
Aulonemia purpurata copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.
More Aulonemia Species
Other Aulonemia species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Aulonemia purpurata (McClure) McClure, family Poaceae (first published in Smithsonian Contr. Bot. 9: 58 (1973)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Aulonemia purpurata, 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 12a, 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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