Namaqua Grass Plant Care
Stipagrostis namaquensis (Nees) De Winter
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Stipagrostis namaquensis is a species of grass native to Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, and the Cape Provinces and Free State of South Africa, especially in the Nama Karoo. It is listed as "safe" (LC) on the SANBI Red List.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun
65–85°F
30–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Namaqua Grass?
Water Namaqua 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.
Where Is the Namaqua Grass Native To?
What Is the Namaqua Grass?
Namaqua Grass (Stipagrostis namaquensis) belongs to the Poaceae family within the Stipagrostis genus. Namaqua Grass is native to Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, and the Cape Provinces and Free State of South Africa, especially in the Nama Karoo.
Namaqua Grass displays a tall, grassy clumps growth habit, reaching up to 4 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Namaqua Grass produces small, inconspicuous flowers on tall spikes.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Namaqua Grass?
Stipagrostis namaquensis 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 Namaqua Grass Need?
Namaqua Grass thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Namaqua Grass Prefer?
Stipagrostis namaquensis grows best at temperatures of 65–85°F. Namaqua Grass prefers humidity levels of 30–60%.
Temperature
65–85°F
Humidity
30–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Namaqua Grass?
Well-draining sandy soil with low fertility. Good drainage is essential for Namaqua Grass to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Namaqua 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 Namaqua Grass?
Namaqua Grass can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to stipagrostis plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Namaqua Grass Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Namaqua 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 Namaqua Grass?
Namaqua 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 Namaqua Grass Need?
Namaqua Grass grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Namaqua Grass is native to Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, and the Cape Provinces and Free State of South Africa, especially in the Nama Karoo. In cooler regions, grow Namaqua Grass as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13b
Keep exploring plants
Namaqua 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.
Namaqua 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 namaquensis (Nees) De Winter, family Poaceae (first published in Kirkia 3: 135 (1963)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Namaqua 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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