Grassleaf Barbara's Buttons Plant Care
Marshallia graminifolia (Walter) Small
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Marshallia graminifolia is a perennial herb species, endemic to the coastal plains of the Southern United States, where it often grows in bogs and in sunny locations. Like all species in the genus Marshallia, it has the common name Barbara's buttons, and is specifically known as grassleaf Barbara's buttons.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Grassleaf Barbara's Buttons?
Water Grassleaf Barbara's Buttons every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Grassleaf Barbara's Buttons Native To?
What Is the Grassleaf Barbara's Buttons?
Grassleaf Barbara's Buttons (Marshallia graminifolia) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Marshallia genus. Grassleaf Barbara's Buttons is native to the coastal plains of the Southern United States. Grassleaf Barbara's Buttons is also known as Barbara's Buttons, Athanasia graminifolia, Marshallia tenuifolia.
Grassleaf Barbara's Buttons displays a clumping perennial herb growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Grassleaf Barbara's Buttons produces small white or pink composite flowers in dense clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Grassleaf Barbara's Buttons?
Marshallia graminifolia requires watering every 7–10 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 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Grassleaf Barbara's Buttons Need?
Grassleaf Barbara's Buttons thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Grassleaf Barbara's Buttons Prefer?
Marshallia graminifolia grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Grassleaf Barbara's Buttons prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Grassleaf Barbara's Buttons?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Grassleaf Barbara's Buttons to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Grassleaf Barbara's Buttons?
Feed Grassleaf Barbara's Buttons 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 Grassleaf Barbara's Buttons?
Divide and repot clumps 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 Grassleaf Barbara's Buttons?
Grassleaf Barbara's Buttons can be propagated through seeds, division of rhizomes. Similar propagation techniques also apply to obovate barbara's buttons plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Grassleaf Barbara's Buttons Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Grassleaf Barbara's Buttons, 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 Grassleaf Barbara's Buttons?
Grassleaf Barbara's Buttons is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. 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 Grassleaf Barbara's Buttons Need?
Grassleaf Barbara's Buttons grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Grassleaf Barbara's Buttons is native to the coastal plains of the Southern United States. In cooler regions, grow Grassleaf Barbara's Buttons as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Grassleaf Barbara's Buttons 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 Marshallia genus — compare its care with other Marshallia species on PlantoScan.
Marshallia is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.
Grassleaf Barbara's Buttons 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: Marshallia graminifolia (Walter) Small, family Asteraceae (first published in Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 25(9): 482. 1898 [10 Sep 1898]) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Grassleaf Barbara's Buttons, 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 12a, 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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