Para grass Plant Care
Urochloa mutica (Forssk.) T.Q.Nguyen
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Urochloa mutica, commonly known as para grass, buffalo grass, Mauritius signal grass, pasto pare, malojilla, gramalote, parana, Carib grass, and Scotch grass, is a species of grass. Despite its common name of California grass, it does not occur in California; it is native to northern and central Africa and parts of the Middle East, where it is cultivated for fodder.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
65–85°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Para grass?
Water Para 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 65–85°F (18–29°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 8 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Para grass Native To?
What Is the Para grass?
Para grass (Urochloa mutica) belongs to the Poaceae family within the Urochloa genus. Para grass is native to northern and central Africa and parts of the Middle East. Para grass is also known as African couch grass, Water grass, Signal grass.
Para grass displays a tall, spreading grass growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. Para grass produces inconspicuous flowers in spikelets.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Para grass?
Urochloa mutica 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 Para grass Need?
Para grass thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Para grass Prefer?
Urochloa mutica grows best at temperatures of 65–85°F. Para grass prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
65–85°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Para grass?
Well-draining sandy loam with good fertility. Good drainage is essential for Para grass to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Para grass?
Feed Para grass 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 Para grass?
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 Para grass?
Para grass can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to signal grass plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Para grass Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Para 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 Para grass?
Para grass is susceptible to aphids, armyworms, 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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Para grass Need?
Para grass grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Para grass is native to northern and central Africa and parts of the Middle East. In cooler regions, grow Para grass as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13b
Keep exploring plants
Para 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 Urochloa genus — compare its care with other Urochloa species on PlantoScan.
Urochloa is part of the Poaceae plant family — browse all Poaceae genera and species.
Para grass thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Urochloa Species
Other Urochloa species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Urochloa mutica (Forssk.) T.Q.Nguyen, family Poaceae (first published in Novosti Sist. Vyssh. Rast. 3: 13 (1966)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Para 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.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13b, 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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