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Plant care

Basketgrass (Variegated Basket Grass) care

Oplismenus hirtellus 'Variegatus'

Also called Basketgrass, Variegated Basket Grass, Ribbon Grass.

RHS H2USDA 9–11Pet-safeIndoor 10–20 cm tall (4–8 in)

Watering rhythm

5-7days

Every 5–7 days in growing season; every 10–14 days in winter

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Light

Bright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)

Soil

Standard peat-free potting compost with added perlite

Humidity

50–70%

Temp

10–27°C

Pet safety

Pet-safe

Mature size

10–20 cm tall (4–8 in)

Care at a glance

Light

Bright but filtered. Basketgrass burns within days in unfiltered south-facing summer sun, and stops growing within months in deep shade. Needs bright indirect light to maintain strong variegation — in low light the colourful striping fades and the plant becomes leggy. Avoid prolonged direct midday sun, which bleaches the leaves. An east- or north-facing windowsill with good ambient light is ideal indoors. If you only have a south window, set the plant back 1.5 m or hang a sheer curtain — both knock the intensity down into the right range.

Watering

Watering basketgrass: every 5–7 days in growing season; every 10–14 days in winter. The number that matters isn't the day of the week — it's how dry the top 2-3 cm of the pot feels. A finger in the soil tells you more than a watering app. After every watering, tip the saucer. Water freely during spring and summer, keeping soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Reduce significantly in winter. This grass is sensitive to overwatering and root rot — ensure pots have good drainage and never allow the plant to sit in water.

Soil and pot

Basketgrass grows best in standard peat-free potting compost with added perlite. Use a general-purpose peat-free potting mix enhanced with 20% perlite or horticultural grit for improved drainage. The plant tolerates a range of pH but performs best around 6.0–7.0. A pot with a working drainage hole is non-negotiable for this species — even free-draining mix will turn soggy in a closed planter. If you love the look of a decorative pot without a hole, use it as a cachepot around an inner nursery pot you can lift out to water.

Humidity and temperature

Basketgrass sits happiest at around 50–70% humidity and 10–27°C (50–80°F). Appreciates moderate to high humidity. In very dry homes, mist the foliage regularly or use a pebble tray with water. Avoid positioning near radiators or heating vents. If you keep the room above 10–27°C year-round and avoid placing the plant near a cold draught, a hot radiator, or an air-conditioning vent, you have already handled the two biggest indoor stressors.

Fertilising

Feed basketgrass sparingly. Feed with a balanced liquid fertiliser at half strength every 2–3 weeks during the growing season (spring through early autumn). No feeding needed in winter. Skip fertiliser entirely on a stressed, recently-repotted, or actively wilting plant — fertiliser salts make damage worse, not better. Wait for a round of healthy new growth before resuming a feeding rhythm.

Common problems

Below are the issues we see most often on basketgrass in the Growli community. Each is annotated with the most common cause so you know where to start.

  • Loss of variegation — Occurs when light levels are too low. Move the plant closer to a bright window. Green reversion — where shoots become fully green — should be cut back to the base to encourage variegated regrowth.
  • Straggly, bare stems — Normal after 12–18 months as the plant ages. Cut back hard in early spring to encourage a flush of fresh, compact growth, or propagate new plants from stem cuttings and replace.
  • Root rot from overwatering — The most common problem. Symptoms include yellowing, wilting despite moist soil, and mushy roots. Allow the top layer of soil to dry slightly between waterings and repot into fresh, well-draining mix if rot is present.

Propagation

Extremely easy from stem cuttings. Take 5–8 cm tip cuttings, remove the lower leaves, and place in moist potting compost or water. Roots form within 1–2 weeks. The plant also layers readily where stems contact moist soil. Propagation is the cheapest, most satisfying way to expand a collection — and it doubles as insurance against losing a mature plant to an accident. Take a backup cutting once the parent is established and healthy.

Toxicity to pets

Basketgrass is pet-safe. Oplismenus hirtellus is not listed as toxic by the ASPCA. As a true grass (family Poaceae), it has no known toxic principle. Not individually catalogued by ASPCA, but grasses in this family have no reported toxicity; as with any plant, consuming large quantities could cause mild digestive upset. If you keep cats, dogs, or curious children in the house, weigh placement carefully — a high shelf or a hanging planter is enough for casual safety. For severe ingestion incidents, call your local vet and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (in the US, 888-426-4435).

Pet-safety status is sourced from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, which catalogues the most-asked-about plants for cats, dogs, and horses.

Basketgrass care — frequently asked questions

What is the common name for Oplismenus hirtellus 'Variegatus'?

Oplismenus hirtellus 'Variegatus' is most commonly called Basketgrass, but it is also known as Basketgrass, Variegated Basket Grass, Ribbon Grass. The names refer to the same species, so care instructions for Basketgrass apply identically to anything sold as Variegated Basket Grass.

How much light does basketgrass need?

Basketgrass grows best in bright indirect light (just back from a sunny window). Needs bright indirect light to maintain strong variegation — in low light the colourful striping fades and the plant becomes leggy. Avoid prolonged direct midday sun, which bleaches the leaves. An east- or north-facing windowsill with good ambient light is ideal indoors.

How often should I water basketgrass?

Water basketgrass every 5–7 days in growing season; every 10–14 days in winter. Water freely during spring and summer, keeping soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Reduce significantly in winter. This grass is sensitive to overwatering and root rot — ensure pots have good drainage and never allow the plant to sit in water. The finger-test (or lifting the pot to feel its weight) beats a fixed weekly calendar because pot size, light, and season all change how fast the soil dries.

Is basketgrass toxic to cats and dogs?

Basketgrass is pet-safe. Oplismenus hirtellus is not listed as toxic by the ASPCA. As a true grass (family Poaceae), it has no known toxic principle. Not individually catalogued by ASPCA, but grasses in this family have no reported toxicity; as with any plant, consuming large quantities could cause mild digestive upset.

What USDA hardiness zone does basketgrass grow in?

Basketgrass is rated for USDA zone 9–11 and RHS hardiness H2. Outside that range, grow it as a container plant that overwinters indoors before the first hard frost.

Basketgrass deep-dive guides

Every aspect of basketgrass care, each with its own calibrated guide:

Featured in these plant shortlists

Basketgrass qualifies for 12 curated Growli shortlists — each one filtered objectively from our structured plant-care library, so the selection is consistent and checkable:

Related guides

Basketgrass is also known as Basketgrass, Variegated Basket Grass, and Ribbon Grass.