Creeping Oplismenus Plant Care
Oplismenus hirtellus (L.) P.Beauv.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Oplismenus hirtellus, commonly known as basket grass, is a species of flowering perennial plant from the family Poaceae that can be found on every continent in the world except Antarctica, growing mostly in coastal tropic and subtropic regions as well as tropical and subtropical islands such as Hawaii, New Zealand, Australia and Madagascar.
Every 3–5 days
Partial to full shade
60–80°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Creeping Oplismenus?
Water Creeping Oplismenus every 3–5 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it partial to full shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 8 months during the growing season.
What Is the Creeping Oplismenus?
Creeping Oplismenus (Oplismenus hirtellus) belongs to the Poaceae family within the Oplismenus genus. Creeping Oplismenus is also known as Basket Grass, Tropical Creeping Oplismenus.
Creeping Oplismenus displays a low-growing, spreading groundcover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Creeping Oplismenus produces small inconspicuous flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Creeping Oplismenus?
Oplismenus hirtellus 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 Creeping Oplismenus Need?
Creeping Oplismenus thrives in partial to full shade. The optimal light range is 100–1,000 lux. Avoid placing Creeping Oplismenus in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Partial to full shade
100–1,000 lux
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Creeping Oplismenus Prefer?
Oplismenus hirtellus grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Creeping Oplismenus 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 Creeping Oplismenus?
Rich, moist soil with good drainage. Good drainage is essential for Creeping Oplismenus to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Creeping Oplismenus?
Feed Creeping Oplismenus 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 Creeping Oplismenus?
Repot every 1-2 years in 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 Creeping Oplismenus?
Creeping Oplismenus can be propagated through division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to composite basketgrass plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Creeping Oplismenus Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Creeping Oplismenus, 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 Creeping Oplismenus?
Creeping Oplismenus is susceptible to aphids, grasshoppers, 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 Creeping Oplismenus Need?
Creeping Oplismenus grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow Creeping Oplismenus as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Creeping Oplismenus 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 Oplismenus genus — compare its care with other Oplismenus species on PlantoScan.
Oplismenus is part of the Poaceae plant family — browse all Poaceae genera and species.
Creeping Oplismenus copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Oplismenus hirtellus (L.) P.Beauv., family Poaceae (first published in Ess. Agrostogr. : 54, 170 (1812)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Creeping Oplismenus, 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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