
Photo: Lucas ChristofidesCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Red Fimbristylis Plant Care
Fimbristylis ferruginea (L.) Vahl
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This plant's slender, leafless stems are topped with clusters of rusty-red flowers, giving it a unique and striking appearance. Native to tropical regions of Africa and Asia, Fimbristylis ferruginea is highly sought after by plant collectors for its rare and exotic beauty.
Every 3–7 days
Full sun to part shade
65–85°F
60–80%
At a glance
How do you care for Red Fimbristylis?
Water Red Fimbristylis every 3–7 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to part shade. It prefers temperatures of 65–85°F (18–29°C) and 60–80% humidity. Fertilize it every 2 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Red Fimbristylis Native To?
- Algeria
- Angola
- Argentina
- Benin
- Bolivia
- Botswana
- Brazil
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Cape Verde
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Chile
- Colombia
- Côte d'Ivoire
- Djibouti
- DR Congo
- Ecuador
- Egypt
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- French Guiana
- Gabon
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Guyana
- Kenya
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libya
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Republic of the Congo
- Rwanda
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- South Africa
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Suriname
- Tanzania
- The Gambia
- Togo
- Tunisia
- Uganda
- Uruguay
- Venezuela
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
What Is the Red Fimbristylis?
Red Fimbristylis (Fimbristylis ferruginea) belongs to the Cyperaceae family within the Fimbristylis genus. Red Fimbristylis is native to certain regions in Africa, southern Asia, and South America. Red Fimbristylis is also known as Grass-like Fimbristylis.
Red Fimbristylis displays a grass-like clumping growth habit, reaching up to 1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Red Fimbristylis produces small inconspicuous flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 8 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Red Fimbristylis?
Fimbristylis ferruginea requires watering every 3–7 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 3–7 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Red Fimbristylis Need?
Red Fimbristylis thrives in full sun to part shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to part shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Red Fimbristylis Prefer?
Fimbristylis ferruginea grows best at temperatures of 65–85°F. Red Fimbristylis prefers humidity levels of 60–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
65–85°F
Humidity
60–80%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Red Fimbristylis?
Moist, fertile soil with good drainage. Good drainage is essential for Red Fimbristylis to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Red Fimbristylis?
Feed Red Fimbristylis every 2 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 2 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 Red Fimbristylis?
Repot every 1-2 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 Red Fimbristylis?
Red Fimbristylis can be propagated through division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to shore fimbristylis plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Red Fimbristylis Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Red Fimbristylis, 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 Red Fimbristylis?
Red Fimbristylis is susceptible to aphids, spider mites. 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 Red Fimbristylis Need?
Red Fimbristylis grows outdoors in USDA Zone 9a – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 9a. Red Fimbristylis is native to certain regions in Africa, southern Asia, and South America. In cooler regions, grow Red Fimbristylis as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 9a – 11b
Keep exploring plants
Red Fimbristylis 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 Fimbristylis genus — compare its care with other Fimbristylis species on PlantoScan.
Fimbristylis is part of the Cyperaceae plant family — browse all Cyperaceae genera and species.
Red Fimbristylis thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Fimbristylis Species
Other Fimbristylis species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Fimbristylis ferruginea (L.) Vahl, family Cyperaceae (first published in Enum. Pl. Obs. 2: 291 (1805)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Red Fimbristylis, 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: Lucas Christofides, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 9a – 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.
