Giant Star Grass Plant Care
Cynodon plectostachyus (K.Schum.) Pilg.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Cynodon plectostachyus, the giant star grass, is a species of grass. It is native to Chad, Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania, and has been introduced as a livestock forage to California and Florida in the United States, Mexico, Honduras, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Paraguay, Argentina, Nepal, and Bangladesh.
Every 3–5 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Giant Star Grass?
Water Giant Star Grass every 3–5 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 8 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Giant Star Grass Native To?
What Is the Giant Star Grass?
Giant Star Grass (Cynodon plectostachyus) belongs to the Poaceae family within the Cynodon genus. Giant Star Grass is native to Chad, Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania, and has been introduced as a livestock forage to California and Florida in the United States, Mexico, Honduras, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Paraguay, Argentina, Nepal, and Bangladesh. Giant Star Grass is also known as East African Star Grass.
Giant Star Grass displays a low mat-forming groundcover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Giant Star Grass produces small inconspicuous flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 0.5 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Giant Star Grass?
Cynodon plectostachyus requires watering every 3–5 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 3–5 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Giant Star Grass Need?
Giant Star Grass thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Giant Star Grass Prefer?
Cynodon plectostachyus grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Giant Star Grass prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Giant Star Grass?
Well-draining sandy soil with good aeration. Good drainage is essential for Giant Star Grass to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Giant Star Grass?
Feed Giant Star 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 Giant Star Grass?
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 Giant Star Grass?
Giant Star Grass can be propagated through spores, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to bermuda grass plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Giant Star Grass Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Giant Star 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 Giant Star Grass?
Giant Star Grass is susceptible to occasional issues with aphids, spider mites. 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 Giant Star Grass Need?
Giant Star Grass grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Giant Star Grass is native to Chad, Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania, and has been introduced as a livestock forage to California and Florida in the United States, Mexico, Honduras, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Paraguay, Argentina, Nepal, and Bangladesh. In cooler regions, grow Giant Star Grass as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Giant Star 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 Cynodon genus — compare its care with other Cynodon species on PlantoScan.
Cynodon is part of the Poaceae plant family — browse all Poaceae genera and species.
Giant Star 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: Cynodon plectostachyus (K.Schum.) Pilg., family Poaceae (first published in Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 40: 82 (1907)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Giant Star 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 13a, 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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