Photo: rowan_mCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Green rabbitsfoot grass Plant Care
Polypogon viridis (Gouan) Breistr.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This grass species is easily distinguished by its bright green, feathery leaves that cascade elegantly. Originating from Europe and Asia, Polypogon viridis is a sought-after addition for plant collectors due to its unique appearance and ability to thrive in various growing conditions.
Every 5–7 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Green rabbitsfoot grass?
Water Green rabbitsfoot grass every 5–7 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 month during the growing season.
Where Is the Green rabbitsfoot grass Native To?
- Afghanistan
- Albania
- Algeria
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Bahrain
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Burundi
- China
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Djibouti
- Egypt
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Georgia
- Greece
- India
- Iran
- Iraq
- Israel
- Italy
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kenya
- Kuwait
- Kyrgyzstan
- Lebanon
- Libya
- Malta
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- North Macedonia
- Oman
- Palestine
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Rwanda
- Saudi Arabia
- Serbia
- Slovenia
- Somalia
- South Sudan
- Spain
- Sudan
- Syria
- Tajikistan
- Tanzania
- Tunisia
- Türkiye
- Turkmenistan
- UAE
- Uganda
- Uzbekistan
- Vietnam
- Yemen
What Is the Green rabbitsfoot grass?
Green rabbitsfoot grass (Polypogon viridis) belongs to the Poaceae family within the Polypogon genus. Green rabbitsfoot grass is native to southern Europe, Macaronesia, North and East Africa, western and central Asia, India, Yunnan, and Vietnam.
Green rabbitsfoot grass displays a grass-like clumping growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Green rabbitsfoot grass produces small inconspicuous flowers on spikes.
Leaf size: approximately 8 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Green rabbitsfoot grass?
Polypogon viridis requires watering every 5–7 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 5–7 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Green rabbitsfoot grass Need?
Green rabbitsfoot grass thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Green rabbitsfoot grass Prefer?
Polypogon viridis grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Green rabbitsfoot grass prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Green rabbitsfoot grass?
Well-draining loamy soil with good fertility. Good drainage is essential for Green rabbitsfoot grass to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Green rabbitsfoot grass?
Feed Green rabbitsfoot grass every month 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 month
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Green rabbitsfoot grass?
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 Green rabbitsfoot grass?
Green rabbitsfoot grass can be propagated through division, seed. Similar propagation techniques also apply to annual beardgrass plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Green rabbitsfoot grass Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Green rabbitsfoot 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 Green rabbitsfoot grass?
Green rabbitsfoot grass is susceptible to no common pests known. 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 Green rabbitsfoot grass Need?
Green rabbitsfoot grass grows outdoors in USDA Zone 8a – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 8a. Green rabbitsfoot grass is native to southern Europe, Macaronesia, North and East Africa, western and central Asia, India, Yunnan, and Vietnam.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 8a – 11b
Keep exploring plants
Green rabbitsfoot 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 Polypogon genus — compare its care with other Polypogon species on PlantoScan.
Polypogon is part of the Poaceae plant family — browse all Poaceae genera and species.
Green rabbitsfoot 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: Polypogon viridis (Gouan) Breistr., family Poaceae (first published in Bull. Soc. Bot. France 110(Sess. Extraord.): lxxxix (1966)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Green rabbitsfoot 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.
- Photo: rowan_m, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 8a – 11b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- 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.
Identify Plants Like the
Green rabbitsfoot grass Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species