Stipa smirnovii Plant Care
Stipa smirnovii Martinovský
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This unique grass species is characterized by its long, feathery golden-yellow leaves that sway gracefully in the wind. Originally from Russia, Stipa smirnovii is highly sought after by plant collectors for its striking visual appeal and ability to add texture and movement to garden landscapes.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–85°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Stipa smirnovii?
Water Stipa smirnovii every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–85°F (10–29°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 8 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Stipa smirnovii Native To?
- Albania
- Austria
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Iran
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Moldova
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- The Netherlands
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
What Is the Stipa smirnovii?
Stipa smirnovii (Stipa smirnovii) belongs to the Poaceae family within the Stipa genus. Stipa smirnovii is native to Europe and Asia, from the Czech Republic east to Mongolia and south to Iran.
Stipa smirnovii displays a clump-forming grass growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Stipa smirnovii produces feathery panicles in shades of gold, silver, or purple.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Stipa smirnovii?
Stipa smirnovii requires watering every 7–14 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 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Stipa smirnovii Need?
Stipa smirnovii thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Stipa smirnovii Prefer?
Stipa smirnovii grows best at temperatures of 50–85°F. Stipa smirnovii prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–85°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Stipa smirnovii?
Well-draining sandy soil with good aeration. Good drainage is essential for Stipa smirnovii to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Stipa smirnovii?
Feed Stipa smirnovii 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 Stipa smirnovii?
Divide and repot every 2-3 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 Stipa smirnovii?
Stipa smirnovii can be propagated through division, seed sowing. Similar propagation techniques also apply to needle grass plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Stipa smirnovii Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Stipa smirnovii, 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 Stipa smirnovii?
Stipa smirnovii 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 Stipa smirnovii Need?
Stipa smirnovii grows outdoors in USDA Zone 5a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 5a. Stipa smirnovii is native to Europe and Asia, from the Czech Republic east to Mongolia and south to Iran.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 5a – 9b
Keep exploring plants
Stipa smirnovii 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 Stipa genus — compare its care with other Stipa species on PlantoScan.
Stipa is part of the Poaceae plant family — browse all Poaceae genera and species.
Stipa smirnovii thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Stipa Species
Other Stipa species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Stipa smirnovii Martinovský, family Poaceae (first published in Preslia 47: 260 (1975)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Stipa smirnovii, 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 5a – 9b, 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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