Photo: Anastasia TitovetsCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Heathland Grass Plant Care
Danthonia decumbens DC.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
With its distinctive drooping, delicate leaves, Danthonia decumbens is native to North America and Europe. Plant collectors covet this species for its unique appearance and ability to add texture and movement to gardens and landscapes.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Heathland Grass?
Water Heathland Grass 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 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 2 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Heathland Grass Native To?
- Albania
- Algeria
- Austria
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Egypt
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Libya
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- The Netherlands
- Tunisia
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
What Is the Heathland Grass?
Heathland Grass (Danthonia decumbens) belongs to the Poaceae family within the Danthonia genus. Heathland Grass is native to Europe and adjacent parts of Asia and North Africa. Heathland Grass is also known as Twite Grass, Wallaby Grass.
Heathland Grass displays a clumping grass growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Heathland Grass produces small inconspicuous flowers on slender stems.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Heathland Grass?
Danthonia decumbens 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 Heathland Grass Need?
Heathland Grass thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Heathland Grass Prefer?
Danthonia decumbens grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Heathland Grass prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Heathland Grass?
Well-draining sandy loam with good organic content. Good drainage is essential for Heathland Grass to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Heathland Grass?
Feed Heathland Grass 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 Heathland Grass?
Divide and replant clumps every 2-3 years. 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 Heathland Grass?
Heathland Grass can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to california oat grass plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Heathland Grass Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Heathland 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 Heathland Grass?
Heathland Grass 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 Heathland Grass Need?
Heathland Grass grows outdoors in USDA Zone 4a – 8b. It survives winters down to planting zone 4a. Heathland Grass is native to Europe and adjacent parts of Asia and North Africa.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 4a – 8b
Keep exploring plants
Heathland 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 Danthonia genus — compare its care with other Danthonia species on PlantoScan.
Danthonia is part of the Poaceae plant family — browse all Poaceae genera and species.
Heathland Grass 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: Danthonia decumbens DC., family Poaceae (first published in Fl. Franç. , ed. 3, 3: 33 (1805)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Heathland 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.
- Photo: Anastasia Titovets, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 4a – 8b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- 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.
Identify Plants Like the
Heathland Grass Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species