Oriental Mat Grass Plant Care
Nardurus orientalis Boiss.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This plant's most distinctive visual feature is its feathery, silver-green foliage that adds a soft, elegant texture to any garden. Hailing from the Mediterranean region, it is a prized addition for plant collectors due to its drought tolerance and ability to thrive in poor, sandy soils.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Oriental Mat Grass?
Water Oriental Mat Grass 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 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 2 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Oriental Mat Grass Native To?
What Is the Oriental Mat Grass?
Oriental Mat Grass (Nardurus orientalis) belongs to the Poaceae family within the Nardurus genus. Oriental Mat Grass is native to Morocco, West and Central Asia to Pakistan. Oriental Mat Grass is also known as Nardurus glaber.
Oriental Mat Grass displays a clumping grass growth habit, reaching up to 1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Oriental Mat Grass produces small inconspicuous flowers on spikes.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Oriental Mat Grass?
Nardurus orientalis 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 Oriental Mat Grass Need?
Oriental Mat Grass thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Oriental Mat Grass Prefer?
Nardurus orientalis grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Oriental Mat Grass prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Oriental Mat Grass?
Well-draining sandy loam with good organic content. Good drainage is essential for Oriental Mat Grass to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Oriental Mat Grass?
Feed Oriental Mat Grass every 2 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 2 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 Oriental Mat 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 Oriental Mat Grass?
Oriental Mat Grass can be propagated through division, seeds.
Is the Oriental Mat Grass Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Oriental Mat 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 Oriental Mat Grass?
Oriental Mat Grass 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.
Keep exploring plants
Oriental Mat 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 Nardurus genus (family Poaceae) — search all Nardurus species in the plant lookup.
Oriental Mat 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: Nardurus orientalis Boiss., family Poaceae (first published in Diagn. Pl. Orient. 7: 127 (1846)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Oriental Mat 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.
- 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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