Photo: Sam KieschnickCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Sweet Canary Grass Plant Care
Bothriochloa saccharoides Rydb.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This ornamental grass is characterized by its feathery, silver-white seed heads that resemble fluffy clouds. Native to Australia, Bothriochloa saccharoides is highly sought after by plant collectors for its unique texture and striking visual appeal in landscapes.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun
65–85°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Sweet Canary Grass?
Water Sweet Canary Grass every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun. It prefers temperatures of 65–85°F (18–29°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 2 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Sweet Canary Grass Native To?
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Aruba
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Canada
- Cayman Islands
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Cuba
- Curaçao
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- French Guiana
- Grenada
- Guadeloupe
- Guatemala
- Guyana
- Haiti
- Honduras
- Jamaica
- Martinique
- Mexico
- Nicaragua
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Puerto Rico
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Suriname
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Turks and Caicos Islands
- United States
- Uruguay
- Venezuela
- Virgin Islands, British
- Virgin Islands, U.S.
What Is the Sweet Canary Grass?
Sweet Canary Grass (Bothriochloa saccharoides) belongs to the Poaceae family within the Bothriochloa genus. Sweet Canary Grass is native to the Americas, including Mexico, the Caribbean, and parts of Central and South America. Sweet Canary Grass is also known as Sugar Canary Grass.
Sweet Canary Grass displays a tall, clumping grass growth habit, reaching up to 4 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Sweet Canary Grass produces small inconspicuous flowers on tall spikes.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Sweet Canary Grass?
Bothriochloa saccharoides 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 Sweet Canary Grass Need?
Sweet Canary Grass thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Sweet Canary Grass Prefer?
Bothriochloa saccharoides grows best at temperatures of 65–85°F. Sweet Canary Grass prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
65–85°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Sweet Canary Grass?
Well-draining sandy loam with good fertility. Good drainage is essential for Sweet Canary Grass to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Sweet Canary Grass?
Feed Sweet Canary 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 Sweet Canary Grass?
Divide and replant 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 Sweet Canary Grass?
Sweet Canary Grass can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to yellow bluestem plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Sweet Canary Grass Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Sweet Canary 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 Sweet Canary Grass?
Sweet Canary Grass is susceptible to grasshoppers, aphids, 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 Sweet Canary Grass Need?
Sweet Canary Grass grows outdoors in USDA Zone 7a – 10b. It survives winters down to planting zone 7a. Sweet Canary Grass is native to the Americas, including Mexico, the Caribbean, and parts of Central and South America.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 7a – 10b
Keep exploring plants
Sweet Canary 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 Bothriochloa genus — compare its care with other Bothriochloa species on PlantoScan.
Bothriochloa is part of the Poaceae plant family — browse all Poaceae genera and species.
Sweet Canary Grass thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Bothriochloa Species
Other Bothriochloa species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Bothriochloa saccharoides Rydb., family Poaceae (first published in Brittonia 1: 81 (1931)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Sweet Canary 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: Sam Kieschnick, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 7a – 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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