Mouse-tail Plant Care
Crypsis alopecuroides Schrad.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Sporobolus alopecuroides is a species of grass known by the common name foxtail pricklegrass. It is native to Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
65–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Mouse-tail?
Water Mouse-tail every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 65–80°F (18–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Mouse-tail Native To?
- Albania
- Algeria
- Austria
- Bahrain
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Egypt
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Iran
- Iraq
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Jordan
- Kuwait
- Latvia
- Lebanon
- Libya
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Oman
- Palestine
- Poland
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Romania
- Russia
- Saudi Arabia
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Syria
- The Netherlands
- Tunisia
- Türkiye
- UAE
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- Yemen
What Is the Mouse-tail?
Mouse-tail (Crypsis alopecuroides) belongs to the Poaceae family within the Crypsis genus. Mouse-tail is native to Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa.
Mouse-tail displays a compact, clumping grass growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Mouse-tail produces small inconspicuous flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Mouse-tail?
Crypsis alopecuroides 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 Mouse-tail Need?
Mouse-tail thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Mouse-tail Prefer?
Crypsis alopecuroides grows best at temperatures of 65–80°F. Mouse-tail prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
65–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Mouse-tail?
Well-draining sandy soil mix with good aeration. Good drainage is essential for Mouse-tail to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Mouse-tail?
Feed Mouse-tail 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 Mouse-tail?
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 Mouse-tail?
Mouse-tail can be propagated through division, seed sowing.
Is the Mouse-tail Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Mouse-tail, 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 Mouse-tail?
Mouse-tail is susceptible to aphids, grasshoppers, spider mites. 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 Mouse-tail Need?
Mouse-tail grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Mouse-tail is native to Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. In cooler regions, grow Mouse-tail as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13b
Keep exploring plants
Mouse-tail 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 Crypsis genus (family Poaceae) — search all Crypsis species in the plant lookup.
Mouse-tail 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: Crypsis alopecuroides Schrad., family Poaceae (first published in Fl. Germ. : 167 (1806)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Mouse-tail, 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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