Common Finger Grass Plant Care
Digitaria eriantha Steud.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Digitaria eriantha, commonly known as digitgrass or Pangola-grass, is a grass grown in tropical and subtropical climates. It grows relatively well in various soils, but grows especially well in moist soils.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
65–85°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Common Finger Grass?
Water Common Finger 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 65–85°F (18–29°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 8 months during the growing season.
What Is the Common Finger Grass?
Common Finger Grass (Digitaria eriantha) belongs to the Poaceae family within the Digitaria genus. Common Finger Grass is also known as Woolly Finger Grass, Blue Summer Grass, Digitaria.
Common Finger Grass displays an upright, spreading grass growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Common Finger Grass produces small inconspicuous flowers on tall spikes.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Common Finger Grass?
Digitaria eriantha 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 Common Finger Grass Need?
Common Finger Grass thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Common Finger Grass Prefer?
Digitaria eriantha grows best at temperatures of 65–85°F. Common Finger Grass prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
65–85°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Common Finger Grass?
Well-draining sandy loam with good fertility. Good drainage is essential for Common Finger Grass to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Common Finger Grass?
Feed Common Finger 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.
Fertilizing
Every 8 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 Common Finger Grass?
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.
How Do You Propagate a Common Finger Grass?
Common Finger Grass can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to digitaria californica plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Common Finger Grass Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Common Finger 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 Common Finger Grass?
Common Finger 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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Common Finger Grass Need?
Common Finger Grass grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. In cooler regions, grow Common Finger Grass as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13b
Keep exploring plants
Common Finger 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 Digitaria genus — compare its care with other Digitaria species on PlantoScan.
Digitaria is part of the Poaceae plant family — browse all Poaceae genera and species.
Common Finger Grass thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Digitaria Species
Other Digitaria species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Digitaria eriantha Steud., family Poaceae (first published in Flora 12(2): 468. 1829) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Common Finger 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 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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