Peruvian Paspalum

Peruvian Paspalum: A Non-Native Grass Worth Considering (With Caveats)

If you’ve stumbled across Peruvian paspalum (Paspalum racemosum) in your gardening research, you might be wondering whether this South American grass deserves a spot in your landscape. While it’s not a native plant, this perennial grass has quietly established itself in several U.S. states, offering some unique qualities that might appeal to certain gardening situations.

What Exactly Is Peruvian Paspalum?

Peruvian paspalum is a warm-season perennial grass that belongs to the same family as many of our common lawn grasses. As its common name suggests, this grass originally hails from Peru and other parts of South America. You might also encounter it listed under its botanical synonym, Paspalum stoloniferum, in older gardening references.

This grass-like plant spreads via stolons (above-ground runners), creating a network of interconnected plants that can provide decent ground cover in the right conditions.

Where You’ll Find It Growing

Currently, Peruvian paspalum has established populations in Colorado, Kansas, Mississippi, and Ontario, Canada. While it’s considered non-native throughout its North American range, it has shown the ability to reproduce and persist without human intervention in these areas.

The Good, The Bad, and The Practical

The Appeal:

• Low-maintenance once established
• Adaptable to both wet and dry conditions (facultative wetland status)
• Can provide erosion control on slopes
• Tolerates a range of soil conditions

The Drawbacks:

• Offers limited wildlife benefits compared to native grasses
• As a wind-pollinated grass, provides minimal resources for pollinators
• Non-native status means it doesn’t support local ecosystems as effectively

Growing Conditions and Care

If you’re considering Peruvian paspalum, it’s surprisingly adaptable. This grass thrives in USDA hardiness zones 7-10 and can handle both full sun and partial shade conditions. Its facultative wetland status means it’s equally comfortable in moist areas and well-drained soils.

Basic care requirements:

• Plant in spring after the last frost
• Water regularly during establishment
• Once established, it’s quite drought-tolerant
• Minimal fertilization needed
• May require occasional division if it spreads beyond desired areas

Before You Plant: Consider Native Alternatives

While Peruvian paspalum isn’t currently listed as invasive or noxious, choosing native grasses will always provide greater ecological benefits. Consider these native alternatives that offer similar ground cover qualities:

• Buffalo grass (Poikilostigma curvifolium) for western regions
• Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) for widespread adaptation
• Purple lovegrass (Eragrostis spectabilis) for eastern areas
• Blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) for prairie regions

The Bottom Line

Peruvian paspalum occupies an interesting middle ground in the gardening world. It’s not native, but it’s also not considered problematic enough to avoid entirely. If you already have it growing on your property, there’s no urgent need to remove it. However, if you’re planning new plantings, native grass species will provide better support for local wildlife and pollinators while often requiring less maintenance in the long run.

Remember, the best garden choices are those that work with your local ecosystem rather than against it. While Peruvian paspalum might fill a specific niche in certain landscapes, native alternatives will almost always provide greater long-term benefits for both your garden and the environment.