Itchgrass Plant Care
Rottboellia cochinchinensis (Lour.) Clayton
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Rottboellia cochinchinensis is a species of flowering plant in the family Poaceae. This grass is known by the common names Itchgrass, Raoul grass, corngrass, Kokoma grass, Guinea-fowl grass, jointed grass, Shamwa grass and Kelly grass.
Every 3–5 days
Full sun
65–85°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Itchgrass?
Water Itchgrass every 3–5 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun. It prefers temperatures of 65–85°F (18–29°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 8 months during the growing season.
What Is the Itchgrass?
Itchgrass (Rottboellia cochinchinensis) belongs to the Poaceae family within the Rottboellia genus. Itchgrass is also known as Guineagrass, Paragrass, Annual Ruppia.
Itchgrass displays a tall, spreading grass growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Itchgrass produces small inconspicuous flowers on tall spikes.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Itchgrass?
Rottboellia cochinchinensis requires watering every 3–5 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 3–5 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Itchgrass Need?
Itchgrass thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Itchgrass Prefer?
Rottboellia cochinchinensis grows best at temperatures of 65–85°F. Itchgrass prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
65–85°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Itchgrass?
Well-draining sandy loam with good organic content. Good drainage is essential for Itchgrass to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Itchgrass?
Feed Itchgrass 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 Itchgrass?
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 Itchgrass?
Itchgrass can be propagated through division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to rottboellia campestris plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Itchgrass Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Itchgrass, 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 Itchgrass?
Itchgrass is susceptible to grasshoppers, aphids, 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 Itchgrass Need?
Itchgrass grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. In cooler regions, grow Itchgrass as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13b
Keep exploring plants
Itchgrass 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 Rottboellia genus — compare its care with other Rottboellia species on PlantoScan.
Rottboellia is part of the Poaceae plant family — browse all Poaceae genera and species.
Itchgrass 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: Rottboellia cochinchinensis (Lour.) Clayton, family Poaceae (first published in Kew Bull. 35: 817 (1981)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Itchgrass, 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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