Golden Lamarckia Plant Care
Lamarckia aurea Moench
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Lamarckia is a genus of plants in the grass family native to the Old World Dry Belt, on the Mediterranean Region, the Arabian Peninsula, East Africa and South Asia. It has a single species, Lamarckia aurea, known colloquially as the golden dog's-tail or goldentop grass.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Golden Lamarckia?
Water Golden Lamarckia 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 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Golden Lamarckia Native To?
What Is the Golden Lamarckia?
Golden Lamarckia (Lamarckia aurea) belongs to the Poaceae family within the Lamarckia genus. Golden Lamarckia is native to the Old World Dry Belt, on the Mediterranean Region, the Arabian Peninsula, East Africa and South Asia. Golden Lamarckia is also known as Goldentop.
Golden Lamarckia displays a tall, clumping grass growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Golden Lamarckia produces small inconspicuous flowers on tall spikes.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Golden Lamarckia?
Lamarckia aurea 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 Golden Lamarckia Need?
Golden Lamarckia thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Golden Lamarckia Prefer?
Lamarckia aurea grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Golden Lamarckia prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Golden Lamarckia?
Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Golden Lamarckia to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Golden Lamarckia?
Feed Golden Lamarckia 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 Golden Lamarckia?
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 Golden Lamarckia?
Golden Lamarckia can be propagated through division, seeds.
Is the Golden Lamarckia Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Golden Lamarckia, 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 Golden Lamarckia?
Golden Lamarckia 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 Golden Lamarckia Need?
Golden Lamarckia grows outdoors in USDA Zone 8a – 10b. It survives winters down to planting zone 8a. Golden Lamarckia is native to the Old World Dry Belt, on the Mediterranean Region, the Arabian Peninsula, East Africa and South Asia.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 8a – 10b
Keep exploring plants
Golden Lamarckia 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 Lamarckia genus — compare its care with other Lamarckia species on PlantoScan.
Lamarckia is part of the Poaceae plant family — browse all Poaceae genera and species.
Golden Lamarckia 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: Lamarckia aurea Moench, family Poaceae (first published in Methodus : 201 (1794)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Golden Lamarckia, 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 8a – 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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