Dallis Grass (Paspalum dilatatum) - How to Grow & Care Guide

Plant Snapshot

Common Name: Dallis Grass
Latin Name: Paspalum dilatatum
Hardiness Zones: USDA zones 7–10. In colder zones plants may die back or fail to persist. In warmer zones plants are more vigorous and can spread aggressively.
Typical Height: 12–36 in (30–90 cm) tall typically
Typical Spread: Spreads by stolons and seed to form clumps or mats that can expand over time
Bloom Period: Summer blooming of raceme inflorescences
Soil Preferences: Prefers moist to wet soils including clay and loam. Tolerates poorly drained sites. Performs poorly in very dry sandy soils.
Light Preferences: Full sun to light shade. Reduced vigor and fewer seedheads in deep shade.
Toxicity: No widely reported human or pet toxicity. May be low quality forage in some conditions and can cause livestock management problems. Verify with local extension for livestock risk.
Propagation: Propagated by seed and by vegetative spread from stolons. Control and establishment are managed by seedbed preparation or by removing stolons.

Key Facts

Warm season perennial grass
Native to South America and naturalized in warm temperate regions
Spreads by stolons and by seed
Forms dense tufts or mats that can crowd desirable plants
Prefers moist to poorly drained soils but tolerates a range of soils
Produces summer inflorescences with several racemes
Valued as forage in some areas but can be invasive in pastures and lawns
Regrows from stolons after mowing or disturbance

Dallis Grass is a warm season perennial grass that forms dense tufts and spreads by stolons and seed. It grows best in sun and moist soils and produces summer raceme inflorescences while the same traits let it crowd desirable plants in turf and pasture.

Identification

Leaves form upright tufts and stems reach about 12 to 36 inches tall. Flowering stems carry several racemes in summer and plants spread by stolons that create mats or patches. The combination of seed production and vegetative spread makes individual clumps able to expand across a lawn or pasture over time.

Where to grow and common uses

Dallis Grass thrives in moist to poorly drained soils and grows in full sun to light shade. It is listed for USDA zones 7 to 10 and is used as forage in some regions. Expect it to perform poorly in very dry sandy sites and to be more vigorous in warm wet locations.

Planting and propagation

Establish from seed or by planting stolon pieces during the warm season when soil temperatures are favorable. Vegetative spread from stolons allows rapid patch expansion once established. For planting avoid deep shade and choose moist fertile soils for best establishment and growth.

Watering and routine care

Regular moisture encourages vigor and seedhead production while drought reduces stand vigor. Mowing will remove seedheads but plants can regrow from stolons after cutting. In managed turf maintaining dense competitive grass species reduces the chance of Dallis Grass taking hold.

Controlling spread

Small patches are removed by digging out stolons and roots and by pulling before seed sets. Repeated mowing and follow up removal helps prevent reestablishment because plants regrow from stolons after disturbance. Maintain healthy competitive turf or pasture to limit open space for stolons to root.

After flowering care

Removing or mowing seedheads reduces new seed in the soil seedbank. Watch for new stolon growth from the patch perimeter and remove runners before they root. Reinspect treated areas through the growing season as plants can regrow and seed in warm months.

Frequently asked questions

How fast does Dallis Grass grow?: Growth rate varies by moisture warmth and soil fertility. It spreads by stolons and by seed and can form noticeable patches over multiple seasons in favorable conditions.
Where does Dallis Grass bloom?: Flowering occurs in summer with raceme inflorescences typically seen in June through August in the northern hemisphere.
Can Dallis Grass be used for forage?: It is used as forage in some regions though quality is variable and management may be needed in mixed pastures.
Is Dallis Grass difficult to remove?: Removal can be labor intensive because of stolons that resprout. Digging out stolons pulling new runners and repeated follow up actions are often required.
Are there livestock or pet risks?: Management issues for grazing have been reported in some areas. Contact local extension or poison control for guidance specific to your region and animals.