Oplismenus hirtellus Gramineae Basket grass Benefits, Care & Propagation

The wiry, creeping stems make this an attractive plant for a hanging basket, since the stems will trail. It has yellowish green lance-shaped leaves, 2-6in/5-l5cm long, with sharply pointed tips and a slightly undulating, or wavy, surface. Oplismenus hirtellus ‘Variegatus’ has white, green, and rose-red striped leaves. Pinch off the insignificant flowers as soon as they appear.

Oplismenus hirtellus 2707611

FACT FILE Oplismenus Hirtellus Gramineae  Basket Grass

oplismenus.hirtellus 8360554

ORIGIN: Southern USA; West Indies; Mexico; Argentina.
HEIGHT: 3ft/90cm.
POTTING MIX: Soil- or peat-moss-based. 
REPOTTING: Move in spring, if plants are kept for a second year.
PROPAGATION: The long runners root spontaneously; detach and pot up the resulting plantlets. Take tip cuttings in spring.
KEEPING PLANTS: As it ages, this plant loses some of its leaves and becomes straggly; cut it back severely or replace it after a year or two.

PLANT CARE Oplismenus Hirtellus Gramineae   Basket Grass

  • Bright light, but direct sun only in winter.
  • Normal room temperature.
  • Keep the soil moist at all times. 
Oplismenus2Bhirtellus2BGramineae2B2B2BBasket2Bgrass 6814525
  • The plant will lose its leaves if the soil is allowed to dry out. 
  • Liquid-feed every 4 weeks in summer; overfeeding is detrimental to the appearance of the plant.

Leave a Comment