Swollen Fingergrass Plant Care
Chloris barbata Sw.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Chloris barbata, the swollen fingergrass or purpletop chloris, is a widespread species of flowering plant in the grass family Poaceae. It is native to drier parts of the Old World tropics and sub-tropics, and it has been introduced to the southern US, most of Latin America and the Caribbean, many tropical islands, and Australia.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
65–85°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Swollen Fingergrass?
Water Swollen Fingergrass 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 65–85°F (18–29°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Swollen Fingergrass Native To?
What Is the Swollen Fingergrass?
Swollen Fingergrass (Chloris barbata) belongs to the Poaceae family within the Chloris genus. Swollen Fingergrass is native to drier parts of the Old World tropics and sub-tropics, and it has been introduced to the southern US, most of Latin America and the Caribbean, many tropical islands, and Australia. Swollen Fingergrass is also known as Fringed Chloris.
Swollen Fingergrass displays a clumping grass growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Swollen Fingergrass produces small inconspicuous flowers in spikelets.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Swollen Fingergrass?
Chloris barbata 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 Swollen Fingergrass Need?
Swollen Fingergrass thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Swollen Fingergrass Prefer?
Chloris barbata grows best at temperatures of 65–85°F. Swollen Fingergrass prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
65–85°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Swollen Fingergrass?
Well-draining sandy loam. Good drainage is essential for Swollen Fingergrass to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Swollen Fingergrass?
Feed Swollen Fingergrass every 6 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 6 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 Swollen Fingergrass?
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 Swollen Fingergrass?
Swollen Fingergrass can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to chloris boivinii plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Swollen Fingergrass Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Swollen Fingergrass, 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 Swollen Fingergrass?
Swollen Fingergrass 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 Swollen Fingergrass Need?
Swollen Fingergrass grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Swollen Fingergrass is native to drier parts of the Old World tropics and sub-tropics, and it has been introduced to the southern US, most of Latin America and the Caribbean, many tropical islands, and Australia. In cooler regions, grow Swollen Fingergrass as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13b
Keep exploring plants
Swollen Fingergrass 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 Chloris genus — compare its care with other Chloris species on PlantoScan.
Chloris is part of the Poaceae plant family — browse all Poaceae genera and species.
Swollen Fingergrass thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Chloris Species
Other Chloris species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Chloris barbata Sw., family Poaceae (first published in Fl. Ind. Occid. 1: 200 (1797)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Swollen Fingergrass, 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 13b, 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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