Photo: CK2AZCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Desvaux's Nineawn Grass Plant Care
Enneapogon desvauxii P.Beauv.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This plant features slender, arching leaves that form a dense tuft, giving it a graceful appearance. Originating from Africa, Enneapogon desvauxii is sought after by plant collectors for its unique texture and drought tolerance, making it a striking addition to xeriscape gardens.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun
65–85°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Desvaux's Nineawn Grass?
Water Desvaux's Nineawn Grass every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun. It prefers temperatures of 65–85°F (18–29°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 2 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Desvaux's Nineawn Grass Native To?
- Algeria
- Angola
- Argentina
- Benin
- Bolivia
- Botswana
- Brazil
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Cape Verde
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Chile
- Colombia
- Côte d'Ivoire
- Djibouti
- DR Congo
- Ecuador
- Egypt
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- French Guiana
- Gabon
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Guyana
- Kenya
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libya
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Mexico
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Republic of the Congo
- Rwanda
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- South Africa
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Suriname
- Tanzania
- The Gambia
- Togo
- Tunisia
- Uganda
- United States
- Uruguay
- Venezuela
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
What Is the Desvaux's Nineawn Grass?
Desvaux's Nineawn Grass (Enneapogon desvauxii) belongs to the Poaceae family within the Enneapogon genus. Desvaux's Nineawn Grass is native to the southwestern United States, northern Mexico, parts of South America, and occurs throughout arid parts of Africa. Desvaux's Nineawn Grass is also known as Nineawn Grass.
Desvaux's Nineawn Grass displays a grass-like clumping growth habit, reaching up to 1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 0.5 ft. Desvaux's Nineawn Grass produces small inconspicuous flowers in spikelets.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Desvaux's Nineawn Grass?
Enneapogon desvauxii 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 Desvaux's Nineawn Grass Need?
Desvaux's Nineawn Grass thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Desvaux's Nineawn Grass Prefer?
Enneapogon desvauxii grows best at temperatures of 65–85°F. Desvaux's Nineawn Grass prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
65–85°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Desvaux's Nineawn Grass?
Well-draining sandy soil with good aeration. Good drainage is essential for Desvaux's Nineawn Grass to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Desvaux's Nineawn Grass?
Feed Desvaux's Nineawn 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 Desvaux's Nineawn Grass?
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 Desvaux's Nineawn Grass?
Desvaux's Nineawn Grass can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to slender nineawn plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Desvaux's Nineawn Grass Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Desvaux's Nineawn 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 Desvaux's Nineawn Grass?
Desvaux's Nineawn Grass is susceptible to grasshoppers, cutworms, 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 Desvaux's Nineawn Grass Need?
Desvaux's Nineawn Grass grows outdoors in USDA Zone 6a – 10b. It survives winters down to planting zone 6a. Desvaux's Nineawn Grass is native to the southwestern United States, northern Mexico, parts of South America, and occurs throughout arid parts of Africa.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 6a – 10b
Keep exploring plants
Desvaux's Nineawn 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 Enneapogon genus — compare its care with other Enneapogon species on PlantoScan.
Enneapogon is part of the Poaceae plant family — browse all Poaceae genera and species.
Desvaux's Nineawn 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: Enneapogon desvauxii P.Beauv., family Poaceae (first published in Ess. Agrostogr. : 82 (1812)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Desvaux's Nineawn 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: CK2AZ, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 6a – 10b, 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.
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