Hitchhiker Plant Care
Paspalum conjugatum P.J.Bergius
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Paspalum conjugatum, commonly known as carabao grass or hilo grass, is a tropical to subtropical perennial grass. It is originally from the American tropics, but has been naturalized widely in tropical Southeast Asia and Pacific Islands.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–85°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Hitchhiker?
Water Hitchhiker 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.
What Is the Hitchhiker?
Hitchhiker (Paspalum conjugatum) belongs to the Poaceae family within the Paspalum genus. Hitchhiker is also known as Bahama Grass, Knotroot, Sourgrass.
Hitchhiker displays an upright, spreading grass growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Hitchhiker produces small inconspicuous flowers in spikelets.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Hitchhiker?
Paspalum conjugatum 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 Hitchhiker Need?
Hitchhiker thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Hitchhiker Prefer?
Paspalum conjugatum grows best at temperatures of 60–85°F. Hitchhiker prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–85°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Hitchhiker?
Well-draining sandy loam soil. Good drainage is essential for Hitchhiker to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Hitchhiker?
Feed Hitchhiker 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 Hitchhiker?
Divide clumps every 2-3 years. 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 Hitchhiker?
Hitchhiker can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to hairyseed paspalum plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Hitchhiker Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Hitchhiker, 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 Hitchhiker?
Hitchhiker is susceptible to grasshoppers, cutworms, armyworms. 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 Hitchhiker Need?
Hitchhiker grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow Hitchhiker as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Hitchhiker 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 Paspalum genus — compare its care with other Paspalum species on PlantoScan.
Paspalum is part of the Poaceae plant family — browse all Poaceae genera and species.
Hitchhiker thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Paspalum Species
Other Paspalum species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Paspalum conjugatum P.J.Bergius, family Poaceae (first published in Acta Helv. Phys.-Math. 7: 129 (1772)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Hitchhiker, 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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