Photo: Andrew BazdyrevCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Transylvanian Melic Grass Plant Care
Melica transsilvanica Schur
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Melica transsilvanica is a unique grass known for its striking blue-green foliage and graceful arching habit. Originating from the mountains of Transylvania, this plant is popular among enthusiasts for its elegant appearance and ability to thrive in various garden settings.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–80°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Transylvanian Melic Grass?
Water Transylvanian Melic Grass 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 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every month during the growing season.
Where Is the Transylvanian Melic Grass Native To?
- Albania
- Armenia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- China
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Georgia
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- The Netherlands
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
What Is the Transylvanian Melic Grass?
Transylvanian Melic Grass (Melica transsilvanica) belongs to the Poaceae family within the Melica genus. Transylvanian Melic Grass is native to Europe and temperate Asia, including Caucasus and China.
Transylvanian Melic Grass displays a clumping grass growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Transylvanian Melic Grass produces delicate panicles of small spikelets.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Transylvanian Melic Grass?
Melica transsilvanica 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 Transylvanian Melic Grass Need?
Transylvanian Melic Grass thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Transylvanian Melic Grass Prefer?
Melica transsilvanica grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Transylvanian Melic Grass prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Transylvanian Melic Grass?
Well-draining loamy soil with good organic content. Good drainage is essential for Transylvanian Melic Grass to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Transylvanian Melic Grass?
Feed Transylvanian Melic Grass every month 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 month
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Transylvanian Melic Grass?
Divide 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 Transylvanian Melic Grass?
Transylvanian Melic Grass can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to silvery hair grass plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Transylvanian Melic Grass Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Transylvanian Melic 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 Transylvanian Melic Grass?
Transylvanian Melic Grass is susceptible to grasshoppers, cutworms, 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 Transylvanian Melic Grass Need?
Transylvanian Melic Grass grows outdoors in USDA Zone 4a – 8b. It survives winters down to planting zone 4a. Transylvanian Melic Grass is native to Europe and temperate Asia, including Caucasus and China.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 4a – 8b
Keep exploring plants
Transylvanian Melic 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 Melica genus — compare its care with other Melica species on PlantoScan.
Melica is part of the Poaceae plant family — browse all Poaceae genera and species.
Transylvanian Melic Grass thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Melica Species
Other Melica species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Melica transsilvanica Schur, family Poaceae (first published in Verh. Mitth. Siebenbürg. Vereins Naturwiss. Hermannstadt 4: 86 (1853)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Transylvanian Melic 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: Andrew Bazdyrev, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 4a – 8b, 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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