Photo: Иван Ковтун Ivan KovtunCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Muhlenbergia serotina Plant Care
Cleistogenes serotina (L.) Keng
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This grass species is easily recognized by its dense tufts of narrow, dark green leaves. Cleistogenes serotina is native to Asia and Africa, making it a sought-after addition for plant collectors looking to diversify their collections with unique species from around the world.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun
60–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Muhlenbergia serotina?
Water Muhlenbergia serotina every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 2 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Muhlenbergia serotina Native To?
- Albania
- Austria
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- The Netherlands
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
What Is the Muhlenbergia serotina?
Muhlenbergia serotina (Cleistogenes serotina) belongs to the Poaceae family within the Cleistogenes genus. Muhlenbergia serotina is native to Europe and temperate Asia. Muhlenbergia serotina is also known as Sericura serotina, Poa serotina.
Muhlenbergia serotina displays a low-growing grass growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 0.5 ft. Muhlenbergia serotina produces small inconspicuous flowers on spikes.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Muhlenbergia serotina?
Cleistogenes serotina 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 Muhlenbergia serotina Need?
Muhlenbergia serotina thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Muhlenbergia serotina Prefer?
Cleistogenes serotina grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Muhlenbergia serotina prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Muhlenbergia serotina?
Well-draining sandy soil with good aeration. Good drainage is essential for Muhlenbergia serotina to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Muhlenbergia serotina?
Feed Muhlenbergia serotina 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 Muhlenbergia serotina?
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 Muhlenbergia serotina?
Muhlenbergia serotina can be propagated through seeds, division.
Is the Muhlenbergia serotina Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Muhlenbergia serotina, 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 Muhlenbergia serotina?
Muhlenbergia serotina is susceptible to 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 Muhlenbergia serotina Need?
Muhlenbergia serotina grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Muhlenbergia serotina is native to Europe and temperate Asia. In cooler regions, grow Muhlenbergia serotina as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Muhlenbergia serotina 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 Cleistogenes genus — compare its care with other Cleistogenes species on PlantoScan.
Cleistogenes is part of the Poaceae plant family — browse all Poaceae genera and species.
Muhlenbergia serotina 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: Cleistogenes serotina (L.) Keng, family Poaceae (first published in Sinensia 5: 149 (1934)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Muhlenbergia serotina, 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: Иван Ковтун Ivan Kovtun, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- 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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