Photo: Matt BergerCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Lemmon's alkali grass Plant Care
Puccinellia lemmonii Scribn.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This plant's distinctive feature is its bluish-green, narrow leaves that form dense clumps. Originating from North America, specifically in coastal areas of California, Puccinellia lemmonii is highly sought after by plant collectors for its unique appearance and ability to thrive in salty, coastal environments.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Lemmon's alkali grass?
Water Lemmon's alkali grass every 7–10 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 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Lemmon's alkali grass Native To?
What Is the Lemmon's alkali grass?
Lemmon's alkali grass (Puccinellia lemmonii) belongs to the Poaceae family within the Puccinellia genus. Lemmon's alkali grass is native to western North America, particularly the northwestern United States. Lemmon's alkali grass is also known as Lemmon's saltgrass.
Lemmon's alkali grass displays a grass-like perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 0.5 ft. Lemmon's alkali grass produces small inconspicuous flowers in spikelets.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Lemmon's alkali grass?
Puccinellia lemmonii requires watering every 7–10 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 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Lemmon's alkali grass Need?
Lemmon's alkali grass thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Lemmon's alkali grass Prefer?
Puccinellia lemmonii grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Lemmon's alkali grass prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Lemmon's alkali grass?
Well-draining sandy soil with good organic content. Good drainage is essential for Lemmon's alkali grass to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Lemmon's alkali grass?
Feed Lemmon's alkali grass every 6 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 6 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 Lemmon's alkali grass?
Repot every 1-2 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 Lemmon's alkali grass?
Lemmon's alkali grass can be propagated through division, seed sowing. Similar propagation techniques also apply to nuttall's saltmarsh-grass plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Lemmon's alkali grass Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Lemmon's alkali 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 Lemmon's alkali grass?
Lemmon's alkali grass is susceptible to aphids, grasshoppers, 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 Lemmon's alkali grass Need?
Lemmon's alkali grass grows outdoors in USDA Zone 4a – 8b. It survives winters down to planting zone 4a. Lemmon's alkali grass is native to western North America, particularly the northwestern United States.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 4a – 8b
Keep exploring plants
Lemmon's alkali 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 Puccinellia genus — compare its care with other Puccinellia species on PlantoScan.
Puccinellia is part of the Poaceae plant family — browse all Poaceae genera and species.
Lemmon's alkali grass thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Puccinellia Species
Other Puccinellia species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Puccinellia lemmonii Scribn., family Poaceae (first published in Bull. Div. Agrostol. U.S.D.A. 17: 276 (1899)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Lemmon's alkali 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: Matt Berger, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 4a – 8b, 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.
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