Feathertop Chloris Plant Care
Chloris virgata Sw.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Chloris virgata is a species of grass known by the common names feather fingergrass feathery Rhodes-grass and feather windmill grass.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
65–85°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Feathertop Chloris?
Water Feathertop Chloris 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.
What Is the Feathertop Chloris?
Feathertop Chloris (Chloris virgata) belongs to the Poaceae family within the Chloris genus. Feathertop Chloris is also known as Feathertop Rhodesgrass.
Feathertop Chloris displays a clumping grass growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Feathertop Chloris produces small inconspicuous flowers in spikelets.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Feathertop Chloris?
Chloris virgata 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 Feathertop Chloris Need?
Feathertop Chloris thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Feathertop Chloris Prefer?
Chloris virgata grows best at temperatures of 65–85°F. Feathertop Chloris prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
65–85°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Feathertop Chloris?
Well-draining sandy loam. Good drainage is essential for Feathertop Chloris to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Feathertop Chloris?
Feed Feathertop Chloris 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 Feathertop Chloris?
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 Feathertop Chloris?
Feathertop Chloris can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to swollen fingergrass plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Feathertop Chloris Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Feathertop Chloris, 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 Feathertop Chloris?
Feathertop Chloris 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 Feathertop Chloris Need?
Feathertop Chloris grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. In cooler regions, grow Feathertop Chloris as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13b
Keep exploring plants
Feathertop Chloris 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.
Feathertop Chloris 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 virgata Sw., family Poaceae (first published in Fl. Ind. Occid. 1: 203 (1797)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Feathertop Chloris, 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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