Water
Water moderately, ensuring the soil remains consistently moist but not waterlogged, especially during establishment and dry periods. Reduce watering in cooler months.
Drought stress can lead to browning and reduced vigor.
Also known as Birdgrass · Blue Grass · Çim
Smooth Meadow-grass (Poa pratensis) is a cool-season perennial grass forming dense sod, widely used in lawns and pastures for its resilience and fine texture.
At-a-glance light, water, soil, and growing conditions from plant data
Full Sun to Partial Shade
75% intensity
Thrives in full sun but tolerates partial shade conditions. Optimal growth occurs with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
Moderate
50% intensity
Keep soil consistently moist, especially when young or during dry spells. Avoid waterlogging.
Well-drained, fertile loam
50% intensity
Cool Season
50% intensity
Prefers cooler temperatures for optimal growth, typically between 15-25°C. Can withstand moderate heat if adequately watered.
Moderate
50% intensity
Fertilize in spring and fall with a balanced lawn fertilizer for best results.
Safety information from plant toxicity data
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Toxic for humans | No 0/5 intensity |
| Toxic for pets | No 0/5 intensity |
Non-toxic
Key traits and growing stats from plant data
Watering, pruning, propagation, and repotting details from plant data
Water moderately, ensuring the soil remains consistently moist but not waterlogged, especially during establishment and dry periods. Reduce watering in cooler months.
Drought stress can lead to browning and reduced vigor.
Generally, minimal pruning is required for turf. For landscape applications where seed heads are undesirable, mowing before seed set will maintain a tidy appearance. This also encourages denser leaf growth.
Propagated primarily through seed, sown in spring or autumn. It can also be spread vegetatively through rhizomes and stolons, making it effective for filling in bare patches in established lawns.
Not applicable for Poa pratensis when grown as turf or in its natural habitat. If grown in containers for specific horticultural purposes, repotting is typically not necessary as it is a perennial grass.
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Monthly activity intensity for bloom and fruit across both hemispheres.
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Photos of Smooth Meadow-Grass (Poa pratensis)
Where Smooth Meadow-Grass (Poa pratensis) is found
Density
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10 known issues from plant disease data
Rust on Turfgrasses causes yellowing turf and orange powder on blades, leaving grass dull, dusty, and weak in patches.
Red Thread on Turfgrasses causes pink to red threadlike growth on leaf tips, with tan patches that linger in cool lawns.
Gray Snow Mold on Turfgrasses causes circular gray matted patches after snow melt, with blighted leaves stuck together.
Take-all Patch in Turfgrasses causes pale thinning circles that fade to brown, with weakened roots and patchy dieback.
Common names and botanical synonyms
Botanical classification
| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Division | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Liliopsida |
| Order | Poales |
| Family | Poaceae |
| Genus | Poa |
| Species | Poa pratensis |
Similar in genus Poa
Answers based on plant encyclopedia data
