Chasmopodium afzelii Plant Care

Chasmopodium afzelii Stapf

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Chasmopodium afzelii is a species of swamp grass native to Sierra Leone and Togo. It grows with 2–4 m tall stalks, and with 25–50 cm (9.8–19.7 in) long smooth leaves.

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Water

Every 7–14 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

60–80°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Chasmopodium afzelii?

Water Chasmopodium afzelii 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 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 8 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Chasmopodium afzelii Native To?

Native range2 countries

What Is the Chasmopodium afzelii?

Chasmopodium afzelii (Chasmopodium afzelii) belongs to the Poaceae family within the Chasmopodium genus. Chasmopodium afzelii is native to Sierra Leone and Togo.

Chasmopodium afzelii displays a clumping grass-like growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Chasmopodium afzelii produces small inconspicuous flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Chasmopodium afzelii?

Chasmopodium afzelii 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 Chasmopodium afzelii Need?

Chasmopodium afzelii thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Chasmopodium afzelii Prefer?

Chasmopodium afzelii grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Chasmopodium afzelii prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

60–80°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Chasmopodium afzelii?

Well-draining sandy soil mix with good aeration. Good drainage is essential for Chasmopodium afzelii to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Chasmopodium afzelii?

Feed Chasmopodium afzelii 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 Chasmopodium afzelii?

Repot every 1-2 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 Chasmopodium afzelii?

Chasmopodium afzelii can be propagated through division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to caudate chasmopodium plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Chasmopodium afzelii Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Chasmopodium afzelii, 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 Chasmopodium afzelii?

Chasmopodium afzelii is susceptible to grasshoppers, aphids. 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 Chasmopodium afzelii Need?

Chasmopodium afzelii grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Chasmopodium afzelii is native to Sierra Leone and Togo. In cooler regions, grow Chasmopodium afzelii as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 13a

Keep exploring plants

Chasmopodium afzelii 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 Chasmopodium genus — compare its care with other Chasmopodium species on PlantoScan.

Chasmopodium is part of the Poaceae plant family — browse all Poaceae genera and species.

Chasmopodium afzelii 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: Chasmopodium afzelii Stapf, family Poaceae (first published in Fl. Trop. Afr. 9: 77 (1917)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Chasmopodium afzelii, 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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