Poaceae
Tiger grass: Full Sun Plant
Thysanolaena latifolia
A fast-growing ornamental grass for warm, frost-free gardens. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers fertile, moist soil. It forms a beautiful large clump, excellent for screening, providing privacy, or creating tropical mass plantings.
Every 5 days
Direct sun
5° - 38°C
50% - 90%
Categories
What is Tiger grass?
Tiger grass (Thysanolaena latifolia) is a easy-care plant from the Poaceae family. Tiger grass (Thysanolaena latifolia) is a vigorous perennial grass from the Poaceae family, native to the tropical and subtropical regions of Asia. It forms dense clumps up to 3 meters tall, featuring broad bamboo-like leaves and large feathery panicles at the end of the season. It is widely used as...
Tiger grass grows up to 3.0m, spread of 300cm, watering every 5 days, 5°C – 38°C, 50–90% humidity. It is not suitable for indoor environments and safe for pets.
Unlike many tropical plants, Tiger grass tolerates watering mistakes. Best for beginners. Unlike many popular species, Tiger grass is safe to keep around pets.
How to Care for Tiger grass?
TLDR: Tiger grass needs Direct sun, watering every 5 days, and temperatures between 5-38°C with 50-90% humidity.
How Often Should You Water Tiger grass?
Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during hot weather and establishment. Regular watering ensures lush foliage; reduce slightly in winter. It tolerates occasional waterlogging better than most ornamental grasses.
How Much Light Does Tiger grass Need?
Prefers full sun, where it grows denser and more upright, but accepts partial shade. It does not perform well in deep shade.
What Is the Best Soil for Tiger grass?
Grows in sandy, loamy, or clay soils, provided they are fertile and well-drained. Prefers a neutral pH between 6.0 and 7.5.
What Pot Should You Use for Tiger grass?
Due to its large size, planting in the ground is preferred. If grown in a pot, use a wide and deep container with good drainage and perform periodic divisions to contain the clump.
Care Schedule
Fertilize
Every 60 days
Misting
Every 2 days
Rotate
Every 15 days
Repot
Every 730 days
What Is Tiger grass and Where Does It Come From?
Tiger grass (Thysanolaena latifolia) is a vigorous perennial grass from the Poaceae family, native to the tropical and subtropical regions of Asia. It forms dense clumps up to 3 meters tall, featuring broad bamboo-like leaves and large feathery panicles at the end of the season. It is widely used as a hedge and specimen plant in gardens, and its panicles are traditionally tied together to make brooms.
How to Propagate Tiger grass?
Clump division
- Divide at the beginning of the warm season for rapid regrowth.
- Ensure several stems and roots are kept in each division.
- 1 Extraction
Remove or expose part of the mature clump.
- 2 Division
Separate sections with roots and a few stems using a spade or knife.
- 3 Replanting
Replant immediately in moist, fertile soil, watering thoroughly.
Materials needed:
Sowing
- Fine seeds: cover very lightly.
- 1 Sowing
Scatter seeds over moist substrate and cover lightly.
- 2 Moisture
Keep moist and warm with good light.
- 3 Pricking out
Transplant seedlings once they are a few centimeters tall.
Materials needed:
How Big Does Tiger grass Grow?
TLDR: Tiger grass can reach up to 3.0m tall with Fast growth rate.
Max height
3.0m
Spread
3.0m
Growth rate
Fast
Foliage
Evergreen
Plant Uses
Ornamental
Great for decoration
Medicinal Uses
- Treatment of fevers
- Topical use for skin irritations
Is your plant showing symptoms?
Click on the symptom to discover possible causes:
What Diseases Commonly Affect Tiger grass?
TLDR: Tiger grass is susceptible to 6 known diseases. Monitor regularly for early detection.
Rust
Rust is a common fungal disease caused by fungi in the order Pucciniales that affects a wide variety of plants. The disease gets its name from the characteristic orange, yellow, or reddish-brown pustules that appear on leaves, resembling metal rust. This obligate fungal parasite requires living plants to survive and can cause significant economic losses in agricultural crops.
Leaf Spot
Leaf spot is a common fungal disease caused by various pathogens including Alternaria, Ascochyta, Colletotrichum, Septoria, and Venturia. It primarily affects leaves, causing discolored spots that can lead to premature leaf drop if left untreated.
Aphids
Aphids are small, soft-bodied, pear-shaped insects (1/16 to 1/8 inch long) that feed by sucking nutrient-rich sap from plants. They reproduce rapidly and can quickly weaken plants, causing distorted growth and transmitting plant viruses. Aphids come in various colors including green, black, red, yellow, brown, and gray. They secrete honeydew, a sticky substance that attracts ants and encourages sooty mold growth.
Caterpillars
Caterpillars are the larval stage of moths and butterflies that feed voraciously on plant foliage, stems, flowers, and fruits. Common species include cabbage loopers, tomato hornworms, armyworms, and cutworms. These pests can cause extensive damage by consuming large amounts of plant tissue in a short time. They vary in size from small (1/4 inch) to large (5 inches), with colors ranging from green to brown, often featuring stripes or spots. Caterpillars are highly mobile and can quickly spread throughout gardens, making them one of the most destructive common pests.
Meaning & Symbolism
A symbol of shelter and livelihood in rural Asian communities, where its plumes are turned into durable brooms.
Compare with similar plants
| Attribute | Difficulty | Light | Watering | Pet Safe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Field Maple | Easy | Bright indirect | 14d | ✓ |
| Muriel's Bamboo | Medium | Partial shade | 3d | ✓ |
| Silver Birch | Easy | Direct sun | 14d | ✓ |
| Common Blanketflower | Easy | Direct sun | 10d | ✓ |
