Scratchgrass Plant Care
Muhlenbergia asperifolia Parodi
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Muhlenbergia asperifolia is a species of grass known as alkali muhly and scratchgrass. It is native to much of North America, including most of southern Canada, most of the continental United States except for the southeastern region, and parts of northern Mexico.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–85°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Scratchgrass?
Water Scratchgrass 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 60–85°F (16–29°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 8 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Scratchgrass Native To?
What Is the Scratchgrass?
Scratchgrass (Muhlenbergia asperifolia) belongs to the Poaceae family within the Muhlenbergia genus. Scratchgrass is native to much of North America, including most of southern Canada, most of the continental United States except for the southeastern region, and parts of northern Mexico. Scratchgrass is also known as Allscale Muhly, Scratch Grass.
Scratchgrass displays an upright, clumping grass growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Scratchgrass produces small, inconspicuous flowers in spikelets.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Scratchgrass?
Muhlenbergia asperifolia 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 Scratchgrass Need?
Scratchgrass thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Scratchgrass Prefer?
Muhlenbergia asperifolia grows best at temperatures of 60–85°F. Scratchgrass prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–85°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Scratchgrass?
Well-draining sandy soil with good aeration. Good drainage is essential for Scratchgrass to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Scratchgrass?
Feed Scratchgrass 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 Scratchgrass?
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 Scratchgrass?
Scratchgrass can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to pink muhly grass plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Scratchgrass Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Scratchgrass, 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 Scratchgrass?
Scratchgrass is susceptible to grasshoppers, 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 Scratchgrass Need?
Scratchgrass grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Scratchgrass is native to much of North America, including most of southern Canada, most of the continental United States except for the southeastern region, and parts of northern Mexico. In cooler regions, grow Scratchgrass as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Scratchgrass 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 Muhlenbergia genus — compare its care with other Muhlenbergia species on PlantoScan.
Muhlenbergia is part of the Poaceae plant family — browse all Poaceae genera and species.
Scratchgrass thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Muhlenbergia Species
Other Muhlenbergia species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Muhlenbergia asperifolia Parodi, family Poaceae (first published in Revista Fac. Agron. Veterin. 6: 117 (1928)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Scratchgrass, 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.
Identify Plants Like the
Scratchgrass Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species