Quaking Grass Plant Care
Briza media L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Briza media is a perennial grass in the family Poaceae and is a species of the genus Briza.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to part shade
60–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Quaking Grass?
Water Quaking Grass every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to part shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 40–70% humidity.
What Is the Quaking Grass?
Quaking Grass (Briza media) belongs to the Poaceae family within the Briza genus. Quaking Grass is also known as Pearl Grass, Rattlesnake Grass.
Quaking Grass displays a clumping ornamental grass growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Quaking Grass produces small, delicate spikelets with ornamental drooping panicles.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Quaking Grass?
Briza media requires watering every 7–10 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 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Quaking Grass Need?
Quaking Grass thrives in full sun to part shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to part shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Quaking Grass Prefer?
Briza media grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Quaking Grass prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Quaking Grass?
Well-draining loamy soil with good organic content. Good drainage is essential for Quaking Grass to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Quaking Grass?
Divide clumps 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 Quaking Grass?
Quaking Grass can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to greater quaking grass plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Quaking Grass Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Quaking 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 Quaking Grass?
Quaking 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 Quaking Grass Need?
Quaking Grass grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow Quaking Grass as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Quaking 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 Briza genus — compare its care with other Briza species on PlantoScan.
Briza is part of the Poaceae plant family — browse all Poaceae genera and species.
Quaking Grass thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Briza media L., family Poaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 70 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Quaking 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.
- 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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