Guatemala Gamagrass Plant Care
Tripsacum laxum Nash
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Tripsacum laxum, the Guatemalan gamagrass, is a species of grass in the family Poaceae. It is a larger perennial bunchgrass of the Caribbean, Central America, such as in Nicaragua and Guatemala, and North America in southern Mexico.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun
60–85°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Guatemala Gamagrass?
Water Guatemala Gamagrass every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun. 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 Guatemala Gamagrass?
Guatemala Gamagrass (Tripsacum laxum) belongs to the Poaceae family within the Tripsacum genus. Guatemala Gamagrass is also known as Maize, Mexican Teosinte, Teosinte.
Guatemala Gamagrass displays a tall, clumping grass growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Guatemala Gamagrass produces inconspicuous flowers on tall spikes.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Guatemala Gamagrass?
Tripsacum laxum 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 Guatemala Gamagrass Need?
Guatemala Gamagrass thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Guatemala Gamagrass Prefer?
Tripsacum laxum grows best at temperatures of 60–85°F. Guatemala Gamagrass prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–85°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Guatemala Gamagrass?
Moist, fertile, well-draining soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Guatemala Gamagrass to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Guatemala Gamagrass?
Feed Guatemala Gamagrass 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 Guatemala Gamagrass?
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 Guatemala Gamagrass?
Guatemala Gamagrass can be propagated through division, seeds.
Is the Guatemala Gamagrass Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Guatemala Gamagrass, 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 Guatemala Gamagrass?
Guatemala Gamagrass 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 Guatemala Gamagrass Need?
Guatemala Gamagrass grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow Guatemala Gamagrass as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Guatemala Gamagrass 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 Tripsacum genus — compare its care with other Tripsacum species on PlantoScan.
Tripsacum is part of the Poaceae plant family — browse all Poaceae genera and species.
Guatemala Gamagrass 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: Tripsacum laxum Nash, family Poaceae (first published in N. Amer. Fl. 17: 81 (1909)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Guatemala Gamagrass, 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.
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