Saltmarsh Cordgrass Plant Care
Sporobolus anglicus (C.E.Hubb.) P.M.Peterson & Saarela
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Sporobolus anglicus is a hybrid-derived species of cordgrass that originated in southern England in about 1870 and is a neonative species in Britain. It was reclassified as Sporobolus anglicus after a taxonomic revision in 2014, but its previous name, Spartina anglica is still in common usage.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–85°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Saltmarsh Cordgrass?
Water Saltmarsh Cordgrass 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 60–85°F (16–29°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 8 months during the growing season.
What Is the Saltmarsh Cordgrass?
Saltmarsh Cordgrass (Sporobolus anglicus) belongs to the Poaceae family within the Sporobolus genus. Saltmarsh Cordgrass is also known as Smooth Cordgrass, Common Cordgrass, European Cordgrass.
Saltmarsh Cordgrass displays an upright, clumping grass growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Saltmarsh Cordgrass produces small inconspicuous flowers on tall spikes.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Saltmarsh Cordgrass?
Sporobolus anglicus 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 Saltmarsh Cordgrass Need?
Saltmarsh Cordgrass thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Saltmarsh Cordgrass Prefer?
Sporobolus anglicus grows best at temperatures of 60–85°F. Saltmarsh Cordgrass prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–85°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Saltmarsh Cordgrass?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Saltmarsh Cordgrass to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Saltmarsh Cordgrass?
Feed Saltmarsh Cordgrass 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 Saltmarsh Cordgrass?
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 Saltmarsh Cordgrass?
Saltmarsh Cordgrass can be propagated through division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to foxtail dropseed plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Saltmarsh Cordgrass Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Saltmarsh Cordgrass, 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 Saltmarsh Cordgrass?
Saltmarsh Cordgrass is susceptible to grasshoppers, 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 Saltmarsh Cordgrass Need?
Saltmarsh Cordgrass grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow Saltmarsh Cordgrass as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Saltmarsh Cordgrass 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 Sporobolus genus — compare its care with other Sporobolus species on PlantoScan.
Sporobolus is part of the Poaceae plant family — browse all Poaceae genera and species.
Saltmarsh Cordgrass thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Sporobolus Species
Other Sporobolus species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Sporobolus anglicus (C.E.Hubb.) P.M.Peterson & Saarela, family Poaceae (first published in Taxon 63: 1236 (2014)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Saltmarsh Cordgrass, 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.
Identify Plants Like the
Saltmarsh Cordgrass 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