Vasey's Grass
Paspalum urvillei
Last reviewed: August 2026

Toxicity unknown
Vasey's Grass (Paspalum urvillei) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
full sun
Water
medium
Size
24"–60" H × 12"–24" W
Bloom
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Native alternatives to Vasey's Grass
Vasey's Grass is not native to the United States. These natives fill a similar role in a planting, matched on bloom season, bloom color and mature size.
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaVasey's grass is a tall, clumping perennial grass that forms dense tufts reaching up to 5 feet in height. It produces feathery seed heads from summer through early fall and thrives in full sun with moderate water needs. This robust grass can spread moderately but maintains a distinct clumping habit rather than running.
In an HOA neighborhood
Vasey's Grass takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- Very tall height appears unmanicured in formal settings
- Can look weedy or unkempt to traditional landscaping preferences
- Dense clumping form may appear too informal for front yard use
Wildlife value
The seed heads provide food for songbirds and small mammals in late summer and fall. As a warm-season grass, it offers nesting habitat and cover for ground-dwelling wildlife.
Common questions
- How much sun does Vasey's Grass need?
- Vasey's Grass grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Vasey's Grass bloom?
- Vasey's Grass blooms in June, July, August, and September.
- Is Vasey's Grass HOA-friendly?
- Vasey's Grass takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Vasey's Grass? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
Planning a bed around it? Start a free plan with this plant
Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz


