Basket grass, known botanically as Oplismenus hirtellus is a popular ornamental plant grown both indoors and outdoors. With its cascading blades of green foliage it adds texture and visual interest to gardens and living spaces. However, keeping your basket grass lush and vibrant requires staying on top of its watering needs. Learning to spot the signs of thirst will help you hydrate your plant properly.
Understanding Basket Grass Water Requirements
Basket grass thrives when kept consistently moist, but not saturated. The soil should dry out slightly between waterings, about 1-2 inches down. Extended dry periods cause foliage to brown and curl. But overwatering leads to root rot. Getting the balance right is key.
Indoor basket grass needs more frequent watering than outdoor plants. Small containers dry out faster. Climate factors like heat and humidity also impact water needs. Observe your plant and feel the soil to determine when to irrigate. With experience, you’ll get a feel for your basket grass’s ideal watering routine.
6 Signs Your Basket Grass is Thirsty
1. Wilting and Drooping Leaves
Leaves losing their perkiness is one of the first indicators your basket grass needs water. Healthy blades stand upright. As the plant becomes parched, they begin to wilt, droop and curl inward. It’s the plant’s way of conserving moisture when the soil is too dry.
2. Brown, Crispy Leaf Tips
When underwatered over time, leaf tips turn brown and dry out. This happens because the oldest foliage lacks the moisture to remain supple and vibrant. Eventually the browning spreads if water is not provided.
3. Yellowing Leaves
While many issues can cause yellowing, inadequate water is a common culprit Leaf color fades and dulls as chlorophyll production decreases when the plant can’t sufficiently hydrate Lower leaves yellow first when the roots lack moisture.
4. Slow or Stunted New Growth
Basket grass produces new blades from the center. In dry conditions, this new foliage struggles to fully unfurl and expand Growth happens slowly or becomes stunted when water is deficient
5. Soil Feels Dry to the Touch
Check soil moisture by inserting your finger 1-2 inches deep around the plant’s base. If the soil is powdery and crumbly rather than cool and moist, it’s time to water. Soil that clumps slightly when pressed is adequately hydrated.
6. Pot Feels Very Light
Pick up your basket grass container to gauge its dryness. A pot that feels drastically lighter and airy is filled with overly dry soil lacking adequate moisture content. Heftier pots signal the soil still retains water.
Tips for Watering Your Basket Grass
- Water slowly and deeply, until it drains from the pot’s base. This fully saturates the soil.
- Let the top few inches of soil dry out before rewatering.
- Apply water at soil level rather than pouring over foliage.
- Use room temperature water rather than cold tap water.
- Mist leaves occasionally for added humidity.
- Remove excess water from drainage saucers after 15 minutes.
Adjusting Watering Based on Factors
Tailor your watering practices to your specific growing situation. Here are some key factors to consider:
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Indoor vs. Outdoor: Indoor basket grass needs more frequent irrigation, as small pots dry out fast. Outdoor plants have more soil to retain moisture.
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Seasons: Hot summer weather causes soil to dry out faster, so water more often. Reduce watering in cool weather when plant growth slows.
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Sun Exposure: Basket grass in full sun needs more watering than shaded areas. Intense light increases evaporation.
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Temperature: Crank up the heat or AC? Adjust watering accordingly, as dry indoor air dehydrates plants faster.
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Humidity: Low humidity necessitates more frequent watering. Higher humidity helps maintain moist soil.
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Soil Type: Sandy soils require more watering than moisture-retentive clay soils.
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Water Quality: Salt-heavy water can damage roots, so water less if needed.
Get to know your specific basket grass’s needs by observing it closely and regularly testing its soil. With a consistent watering routine tuned to your environment, you can keep your plant healthy and lush.
Frequency of entities:
basket grass: 16
water: 15
soil: 10
leaves: 8
plant: 7
leaf: 4
foliage: 3
moisture: 3
hydration: 2
irrigation: 2
watering: 2
wilting: 1
drooping: 1
brown: 1
crispy: 1
yellowing: 1
thirsty: 1
dry: 1
wet: 1
saturated: 1
dew: 1
humidity: 1
Finding light for Basketgrass in your home
Basketgrass love being close to bright, sunny windows .
Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.
Basketgrass does not tolerate low-light .
Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Basketgrass in your home .
How to fertilize Basketgrass
Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.
By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.
To replenish this plants nutrients, repot your Basketgrass after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.
Basketgrass prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Basketgrass requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive . Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home .
Greg does not have confirmed data on this plant’s toxicity. If you, a family member, or a pet consumes plant material of unknown toxicity, it’s always best to consult a medical professional.
If you or someone else ingested this plant, call Poison Control at US (800) 222-1222. If a pet consumed this plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA at US (888) 426-4435.
Basketgrass is a clumping plant, meaning new growth will emerge from the soil around the parent plant.
When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.
Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.
Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.
Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.
FOUR Ways To Tell If Your Garden Needs Water
Do ornamental grasses need a lot of water?
Ornamental grasses need little for survival, and once established, they can grow and thrive with little water. The exception is a young ornamental grass, newly planted in your landscape or a pot. New plants need more water than mature plants to help their root systems grow robust before summer heat kicks in.
How do you water ornamental grass?
The best way to water potted or landscape ornamental grasses is slowly, such as with a drip system. Forcing water too rapidly through a container can wash out soil and nutrients. Water ornamental grasses early in the day, so their roots have time to soak up the moisture to fight summer heat but dry out before cool evenings set in.
How often should you water ornamental grass?
When you first plant your ornamental grass, water it every other day and gradually extend the time between watering over the next few weeks until the plant looks like it is healthy and growing. Keep a close eye on young container-grown grasses, since containers dry out more rapidly than the ground.
What should I do if I don’t like basketgrass?
If a homeowner does not like the look of basketgrass in shady areas of the landscape, we recommend mulch and low-maintenance plants. Ferns, bromeliads, Asiatic jasmine, coontie cycad, liriope–all are great alternatives in shady landscapes where basketgrass is not desired. The use of chemicals or manual removal is entirely up to the homeowner.