Purple Reed Grass Plant Care
Schizachne purpurascens Swallen
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Schizachne is a genus of Eurasian and North American plants in the grass family. The only accepted species is Schizachne purpurascens, commonly called false melic.
Every 3–5 days
Full sun to part shade
60–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Purple Reed Grass?
Water Purple Reed Grass every 3–5 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to part shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 40–70% humidity.
What Is the Purple Reed Grass?
Purple Reed Grass (Schizachne purpurascens) belongs to the Poaceae family within the Schizachne genus. Purple Reed Grass is also known as Purple Grass.
Purple Reed Grass displays a clumping grass growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Purple Reed Grass produces inconspicuous flowers on tall stems.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Purple Reed Grass?
Schizachne purpurascens 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 Purple Reed Grass Need?
Purple Reed Grass thrives in full sun to part shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to part shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Purple Reed Grass Prefer?
Schizachne purpurascens grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Purple Reed Grass prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Purple Reed Grass?
Moist, well-draining loamy soil. Good drainage is essential for Purple Reed Grass to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Purple Reed Grass?
Divide clumps every 2-3 years in 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 Purple Reed Grass?
Purple Reed Grass can be propagated through division, seed.
Is the Purple Reed Grass Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Purple Reed 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 Purple Reed Grass?
Purple Reed Grass is susceptible to aphids, grasshoppers. 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 Purple Reed Grass Need?
Purple Reed Grass grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow Purple Reed Grass as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Purple Reed 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 Schizachne genus — compare its care with other Schizachne species on PlantoScan.
Schizachne is part of the Poaceae plant family — browse all Poaceae genera and species.
Purple Reed 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: Schizachne purpurascens Swallen, family Poaceae (first published in J. Washington Acad. Sci. 18: 204 (1928)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Purple Reed 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.
- 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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