Hairy Grass Plant Care

Stipagrostis hirtigluma (Steud.) De Winter

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Stipagrostis hirtigluma is a densely tufted perennial grass. It occurs across most of Africa east to Pakistan in bushveld, karoo, and desert regions.

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Water

Every 7–14 days

Light

Full sun

Temp

65–85°F

Humidity

30–60%

At a glance

How do you care for Hairy Grass?

Water Hairy Grass every 7–14 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 30–60% humidity.

What Is the Hairy Grass?

Hairy Grass (Stipagrostis hirtigluma) belongs to the Poaceae family within the Stipagrostis genus.

Hairy Grass displays a tall, grassy clumps growth habit, reaching up to 4 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Hairy Grass produces small, inconspicuous flowers on tall spikes.

Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Hairy Grass?

Stipagrostis hirtigluma 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 Hairy Grass Need?

Hairy Grass thrives in full sun.

Light Requirement

Full sun

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Hairy Grass Prefer?

Stipagrostis hirtigluma grows best at temperatures of 65–85°F. Hairy Grass prefers humidity levels of 30–60%.

Temperature

65–85°F

Humidity

30–60%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Hairy Grass?

Well-draining sandy soil with low fertility. Good drainage is essential for Hairy Grass to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Do You Repot a Hairy Grass?

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 Hairy Grass?

Hairy Grass can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to stipagrostis plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Hairy Grass Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Hairy 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 Hairy Grass?

Hairy Grass 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 Hairy Grass Need?

Hairy Grass grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. In cooler regions, grow Hairy Grass as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 13b

Keep exploring plants

Hairy 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 Stipagrostis genus — compare its care with other Stipagrostis species on PlantoScan.

Stipagrostis is part of the Poaceae plant family — browse all Poaceae genera and species.

Hairy 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: Stipagrostis hirtigluma (Steud.) De Winter, family Poaceae (first published in Kirkia 3: 134 (1963)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Hairy 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 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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