Couch grass Plant Care

Couch grass (Digitaria didactyla) belongs to the Poaceae family within the Digitaria genus. Couch grass is native to Mauritius, Réunion, parts of mainland Africa, and Madagascar. Couch grass is also known as Kikuyu grass, Durban grass, Australian couch.

Couch grass displays an upright, spreading grass growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Couch grass produces small inconspicuous flowers on tall spikes.

Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.

Digitaria didactyla 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.

Couch grass thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Digitaria didactyla grows best at temperatures of 65–85°F. Couch grass prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining sandy loam with good fertility. Good drainage is essential for Couch grass to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Couch grass every 8 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.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Divide and repot 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.

Couch grass can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to digitaria californica plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Couch grass is susceptible to aphids, grasshoppers, armyworms. 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.

Couch grass grows outdoors in USDA Zone 9b – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 9b. Couch grass is native to Mauritius, Réunion, parts of mainland Africa, and Madagascar. In cooler regions, grow Couch grass as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.