Sand Grass Plant Care
Stipagrostis sabulicola (Pilg.) De Winter
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Stipagrostis sabulicola, the Namib dune bushman grass, is a species of grass endemic to the dunes of the Namib desert. The perennial grass grows up to 200 cm tall and has a wide system of shallow roots, allowing it to catch water in the form of fog and dew, additional to rain.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun
65–85°F
30–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Sand Grass?
Water Sand 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 Sand Grass?
Sand Grass (Stipagrostis sabulicola) belongs to the Poaceae family within the Stipagrostis genus. Sand Grass is native to the dunes of the Namib desert.
Sand Grass displays a tall, grassy clumps growth habit, reaching up to 4 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Sand Grass produces small, inconspicuous flowers on tall spikes.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Sand Grass?
Stipagrostis sabulicola 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 Sand Grass Need?
Sand Grass thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Sand Grass Prefer?
Stipagrostis sabulicola grows best at temperatures of 65–85°F. Sand Grass prefers humidity levels of 30–60%.
Temperature
65–85°F
Humidity
30–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Sand Grass?
Well-draining sandy soil with low fertility. Good drainage is essential for Sand Grass to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Sand 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 Sand Grass?
Sand Grass can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to stipagrostis plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Sand Grass Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Sand 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 Sand Grass?
Sand 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 Sand Grass Need?
Sand Grass grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Sand Grass is native to the dunes of the Namib desert. In cooler regions, grow Sand Grass as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13b
Keep exploring plants
Sand 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.
Sand 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 sabulicola (Pilg.) 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 Sand 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.
Identify Plants Like the
Sand Grass 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