In creating a soothing, tranquil home or office, many people turn to houseplants. Increasingly, indoor gardeners are favoring grass as a houseplant---and with good reason. It's easy to grow and care for, and provides plenty of green to perk up a dull area. Some gardeners even grow edible grasses; for example, indoor grown wheatgrass is both suitable for juicing or for aiding feline digestion.
Selecting the Right Grass
Your average turf grass is not suitable for growing indoors. Instead, look for grasses more suited to container planting, dimmer light, and more moderate temperatures, like wheatgrass, oats, or rye. Zebra grass, silky thread grass, blue fescue, purple majesty, pampas, maiden grass and tender fountain are also good choices.
If you wish to start your grass from seed, purchase quality potting soil and some pebbles. Select a pot with lots of drainage holes, or add drainage holes to a plastic pot by using an electric drill. Line the bottom of the pot with pebbles, to improve drainage. Fill the pot with soil and water well. While the soil is still damp, sow the seeds according to the seed packet directions. Make sure the soil stays moist (but not damp) until the grass is well established.
If you purchase young plants at a nursery, repot them in a same-sized container. Or, choose a larger container and space plants about 3 inches apart. Taller grasses may need wider spacing, so read nursery labels carefully. Water well after repotting.
Some grasses suitable for growing indoors, like wheatgrass, require dim lighting. Fortunately, this is usually easy to find. However, most grasses---including most of those suitable for indoor growing---require at least four hours of sun each day; therefore placing them near a sunny window is a must. Alternatively, you could purchase an indoor growing light for your grass.
Grasses require very little attention from gardeners. Aside from appropriate light, all grass really needs is regular watering. The easiest way to achieve this is to place water in a tray or bowl under the pot. If the water evaporates after a week, water again. You can test to see if the soil needs watering by inserting your finger into it. If the first half inch of soil is dry, it's time to water.
If desired, fertilize with a slow-release product once in the early spring.
To promote new growth and cut away browning leaves, trim ornamental grass using hand held pruners or grass shears.