Photo: Petra HollandCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Wallaby grass Plant Care
Rytidosperma tenuius (Steud.) A.Hansen & Sunding
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Rytidosperma tenuius, also known as wallaby grass, is a distinctive plant with slender green leaves that form tufts. It is native to Australia and thrives in dry, sandy habitats, making it popular among plant enthusiasts for its ability to add texture and movement to gardens.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Wallaby grass?
Water Wallaby grass every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 2 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Wallaby grass Native To?
What Is the Wallaby grass?
Wallaby grass (Rytidosperma tenuius) belongs to the Poaceae family within the Rytidosperma genus. Wallaby grass is native to the Australian states of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania, and it has been introduced to New Zealand.
Wallaby grass displays a grassy tufted habit growth habit, reaching up to 1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Wallaby grass produces small inconspicuous flowers in spikelets.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Wallaby grass?
Rytidosperma tenuius 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 Wallaby grass Need?
Wallaby grass thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Wallaby grass Prefer?
Rytidosperma tenuius grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Wallaby grass prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Wallaby grass?
Well-draining sandy soil with good aeration. Good drainage is essential for Wallaby grass to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Wallaby grass?
Feed Wallaby grass every 2 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 2 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 Wallaby grass?
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 Wallaby grass?
Wallaby grass can be propagated through division, seed sowing. Similar propagation techniques also apply to wallaby grass plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Wallaby grass Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Wallaby grass, 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 Wallaby grass?
Wallaby grass 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 Wallaby grass Need?
Wallaby grass grows outdoors in USDA Zone 8a – 10b. It survives winters down to planting zone 8a. Wallaby grass is native to the Australian states of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania, and it has been introduced to New Zealand.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 8a – 10b
Keep exploring plants
Wallaby grass 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 Rytidosperma genus — compare its care with other Rytidosperma species on PlantoScan.
Rytidosperma is part of the Poaceae plant family — browse all Poaceae genera and species.
Wallaby grass thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Rytidosperma Species
Other Rytidosperma species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Rytidosperma tenuius (Steud.) A.Hansen & Sunding, family Poaceae (first published in Fl. Macaronesia , ed. 2, 1: 93 (1979)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Wallaby grass, 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.
- Photo: Petra Holland, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 8a – 10b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- 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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