Paspalidium distans Plant Care
Paspalidium distans Hughes
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Setaria distans, synonyms including Paspalidium distans, is a species of flowering plant in the grass family Poaceae, native to New Caledonia, New Guinea, most of Australia and the Bonin Islands (Ogasawara-shoto). It was first described by Carl Bernhard von Trinius in 1829 as Panicum distans.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–85°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Paspalidium distans?
Water Paspalidium distans 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 Paspalidium distans Native To?
What Is the Paspalidium distans?
Paspalidium distans (Paspalidium distans) belongs to the Poaceae family within the Paspalidium genus. Paspalidium distans is native to New Caledonia, New Guinea, most of Australia and the Bonin Islands (Ogasawara-shoto).
Paspalidium distans displays a tall, spreading grass growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Paspalidium distans produces small inconspicuous flowers on tall spikes.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Paspalidium distans?
Paspalidium distans 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 Paspalidium distans Need?
Paspalidium distans thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Paspalidium distans Prefer?
Paspalidium distans grows best at temperatures of 60–85°F. Paspalidium distans prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–85°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Paspalidium distans?
Well-draining loamy soil with good organic content. Good drainage is essential for Paspalidium distans to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Paspalidium distans?
Feed Paspalidium distans 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 Paspalidium distans?
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 Paspalidium distans?
Paspalidium distans can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps.
Is the Paspalidium distans Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Paspalidium distans, 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 Paspalidium distans?
Paspalidium distans is susceptible to grasshoppers, cutworms, aphids. 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 Paspalidium distans Need?
Paspalidium distans grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Paspalidium distans is native to New Caledonia, New Guinea, most of Australia and the Bonin Islands (Ogasawara-shoto). In cooler regions, grow Paspalidium distans as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Paspalidium distans 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 Paspalidium genus — compare its care with other Paspalidium species on PlantoScan.
Paspalidium is part of the Poaceae plant family — browse all Poaceae genera and species.
Paspalidium distans 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: Paspalidium distans Hughes, family Poaceae (first published in Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew 1923: 317 (1923)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Paspalidium distans, 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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