How to Grow Gatton Blue Grass
Wikimedia Commons
Gatton Blue Grass
Megathyrsus maximus cv. Gatton
grassGatton Blue Grass is a perennial tropical grass cultivar known for its distinctive blue-purple leaf coloration and exceptional nutritional quality for livestock forage. It is a high-yielding pasture grass that establishes quickly and produces palatable feed year-round in warm climates. This cultivar is particularly valued in subtropical and tropical regions for sustained productivity and disease resistance.
When should you plant Gatton Blue Grass in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Gatton Blue Grass timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Gatton Blue Grass
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
Harvest Gatton Blue Grass
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Gatton Blue Grass dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 9-11; frost-intolerant below 32°F (-0°C)
Sign up free to see if Gatton Blue Grass grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Gatton Blue Grass timeline →Growth Stages
Germination & Seedling
2-3 weeksSeeds germinate within 7-14 days in warm, moist soil. Seedlings emerge with narrow leaf blades and begin developing the characteristic blue-purple tint.
Ensure consistent soil moisture without waterlogging. Protect seedlings from heavy grazing pressure for 6-8 weeks. Apply light nitrogen fertilizer after emergence.
Establishment & Vegetative Growth
60-90 daysPlant develops extensive root system and produces multiple tillers. Leaf blades become more pronounced with blue-purple coloration intensifying. Height reaches 12-24 inches.
Maintain regular watering schedule. Apply balanced fertilizer every 4-6 weeks. Control weeds competing for nutrients. Begin light grazing pressure after 60-80 days to encourage tillering.
Active Vegetative/Tillering
Variable; continues throughout growing seasonDense clumps of blue-purple foliage with vigorous shoot production. Plant reaches 24-48 inches tall under good management. High forage production phase.
Apply nitrogen fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during growing season. Graze at 4-6 inch stubble height to encourage regrowth. Maintain soil moisture during dry periods. Monitor for pest and disease issues.
Heading/Flowering
3-6 weeksInflorescences (flower heads) develop on panicles; typically 4-8 weeks after adequate vegetative growth. Blue-purple color persists in stems and some leaf bases.
Forage quality declines as plant matures; prioritize grazing before heavy flowering. If seed production is desired, allow flowering to proceed without grazing pressure. Drought stress may delay flowering.
Dormancy/Winter
2-4 months depending on latitudeIn frost-prone zones (9a-9b), foliage browns and growth slows significantly or stops below 50°F. Plant remains alive if temperatures don't reach hard freezes.
Cease grazing 6-8 weeks before first frost to allow plant recovery. Apply mulch or protective cover in borderline zones. Resume light grazing only when new spring growth is 4-6 inches tall.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Monitor for larval damage; allow natural predators (parasitoid wasps); apply insecticidal soap or neem oil if severe; maintain plant vigor through proper nutrition.
-
Increase irrigation to raise humidity; prune affected foliage; apply sulfur-based miticides if population is high; encourage beneficial predatory mites.
-
Maintain adequate soil moisture; promote plant vigor with balanced fertilization; apply insecticidal soap; rotate grazing to reduce pest pressure.
-
Monitor populations; allow grazing to control nymphs; apply neem oil or spinosad for severe outbreaks; maintain diverse surrounding vegetation for predator habitat.
Uses
Livestock Forage & Pasture
CulinaryGatton Blue Grass is primarily used as a high-quality, palatable pasture grass for cattle, sheep, horses, and other livestock. Its digestibility and protein content make it excellent for sustained weight gain and milk production in tropical and subtropical regions. [source]
Hay Production
CulinaryCan be harvested and dried for hay at the boot stage to preserve nutritional quality. Maintains higher protein content compared to many other tropical grasses when properly cured. [source]
Erosion Control & Soil Stabilization
HouseholdThe extensive root system and rapid establishment make Gatton Blue Grass valuable for preventing soil erosion on hillsides, embankments, and degraded pasture lands. Helps restore soil structure and organic matter. [source]
Ornamental Landscaping
CraftThe distinctive blue-purple foliage provides striking visual interest in tropical and subtropical gardens and landscaping projects. Can be used as a specimen planting or in massed groupings. [source]
Wildlife Habitat & Fodder
WildlifeDense growth provides cover and nesting sites for ground-nesting birds and small mammals. Also serves as browse for wild herbivores in conservation and rewilding projects. [source]
Harvest Tips
Begin light grazing at 60-80 days when plants are 12-18 inches tall. Maintain 4-6 inch stubble height to encourage regrowth and plant longevity. Optimal forage quality occurs at vegetative stage before flowering; graze before inflorescence development for best nutrition. In continuous grazing systems, rotate paddocks every 21-28 days. In frost-prone zones, stop grazing 6-8 weeks before first frost to allow recovery. Cut forage for hay at boot stage (early flowering) if used for dry feed.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 The 'Gatton' cultivar was developed at Gatton Agricultural College in Queensland, Australia, and is specifically adapted to subtropical conditions with improved disease resistance compared to the parent species.
- 🌱 The blue-purple leaf coloration is a genetic trait that intensifies under full sun and stress conditions, serving as an indicator of plant vigor and making this grass visually distinct from standard green forage varieties.
- 🌱 Megathyrsus maximus (formerly Panicum maximum) is native to sub-Saharan Africa and has become one of the most important tropical forage grasses globally, with the Gatton cultivar representing a significant improvement in productivity and nutritional quality.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Gatton Blue Grass planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Gatton Blue Grass seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.
Get my Gatton Blue Grass timeline →