Florida toothache grass Plant Care
Ctenium floridanum (Hitchc.) Hitchc.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Ctenium floridanum is a species of plant in the grass family found in the Southeastern United States.
Every 7–10 days
Shade to partial shade
60–85°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Florida toothache grass?
Water Florida toothache grass every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it shade to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–85°F (16–29°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Florida toothache grass Native To?
What Is the Florida toothache grass?
Florida toothache grass (Ctenium floridanum) belongs to the Poaceae family within the Ctenium genus. Florida toothache grass is native to the Southeastern United States. Florida toothache grass is also known as Toothache grass.
Florida toothache grass displays a low rosette, spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Florida toothache grass produces small inconspicuous flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Florida toothache grass?
Ctenium floridanum 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 Florida toothache grass Need?
Florida toothache grass thrives in shade to partial shade. Avoid placing Florida toothache grass in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Shade to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Florida toothache grass Prefer?
Ctenium floridanum grows best at temperatures of 60–85°F. Florida toothache grass prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–85°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Florida toothache grass?
Moist, well-draining soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Florida toothache grass to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Florida toothache grass?
Feed Florida toothache grass 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 Florida toothache grass?
Repot every 1-2 years in 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 Florida toothache grass?
Florida toothache grass can be propagated through spores, division of clumps.
Is the Florida toothache grass Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Florida toothache grass, 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 Florida toothache grass?
Florida toothache grass is susceptible to slugs, snails, 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 Florida toothache grass Need?
Florida toothache grass grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Florida toothache grass is native to the Southeastern United States. In cooler regions, grow Florida toothache grass as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Florida toothache grass 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 Ctenium genus — compare its care with other Ctenium species on PlantoScan.
Ctenium is part of the Poaceae plant family — browse all Poaceae genera and species.
Florida toothache grass copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Ctenium floridanum (Hitchc.) Hitchc., family Poaceae (first published in Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington 41: 162 (1928)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Florida toothache grass, 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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