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White-haired Sprangletop Plant Care
Urochloa albicoma (Swallen & García-Barr.) Morrone & Zuloaga
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This plant is known for its striking white hairs that cover its leaves, giving it a unique and eye-catching appearance. Originating from Africa, Urochloa albicoma is highly sought after by plant collectors for its rare and exotic look, making it a prized addition to any collection.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
65–85°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for White-haired Sprangletop?
Water White-haired Sprangletop 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 65–85°F (18–29°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 8 months during the growing season.
What Is the White-haired Sprangletop?
White-haired Sprangletop (Urochloa albicoma) belongs to the Poaceae family within the Urochloa genus. White-haired Sprangletop is native to South America, Central America, Caribbean islands. White-haired Sprangletop is also known as Whitehair signalgrass.
White-haired Sprangletop displays a tall, spreading grass growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. White-haired Sprangletop produces inconspicuous flowers in spikelets.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a White-haired Sprangletop?
Urochloa albicoma 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 White-haired Sprangletop Need?
White-haired Sprangletop thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the White-haired Sprangletop Prefer?
Urochloa albicoma grows best at temperatures of 65–85°F. White-haired Sprangletop prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
65–85°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a White-haired Sprangletop?
Well-draining sandy loam with good fertility. Good drainage is essential for White-haired Sprangletop to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a White-haired Sprangletop?
Feed White-haired Sprangletop 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 White-haired Sprangletop?
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 White-haired Sprangletop?
White-haired Sprangletop can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to signal grass plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the White-haired Sprangletop Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list White-haired Sprangletop, 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 White-haired Sprangletop?
White-haired Sprangletop is susceptible to aphids, armyworms, 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 White-haired Sprangletop Need?
White-haired Sprangletop grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. White-haired Sprangletop is native to South America, Central America, Caribbean islands. In cooler regions, grow White-haired Sprangletop as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13b
Keep exploring plants
White-haired Sprangletop 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 Urochloa genus — compare its care with other Urochloa species on PlantoScan.
Urochloa is part of the Poaceae plant family — browse all Poaceae genera and species.
White-haired Sprangletop thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Urochloa Species
Other Urochloa species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Urochloa albicoma (Swallen & García-Barr.) Morrone & Zuloaga, family Poaceae (first published in Darwiniana 31: 68 (1992)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list White-haired Sprangletop, 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.
- Photo: AI-generated illustration (labelled on the image).
- 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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