How to Grow Palisade Grass
Wikimedia Commons
Palisade Grass
Paspalum notatum
grassPalisade grass is a warm-season perennial grass native to South America, commonly used as a forage and pasture grass. It is highly palatable to livestock and tolerant of poor soil conditions, making it valuable for grazing systems. The grass produces distinctive two-rowed seed heads and maintains productivity even under heavy grazing pressure.
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Example Palisade Grass timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Palisade Grass
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Palisade Grass
Around Jul 16≈ 90 days after planting
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Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 8-11, with best performance in warm tropical and subtropical climates
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Get my Palisade Grass timeline →Growth Stages
Establishment
6-8 weeksYoung grass developing root system and initial shoot growth; sparse foliage coverage
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Avoid grazing during this phase. Maintain regular irrigation for 6-8 weeks.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 monthsRapid leaf expansion and rhizome development; dense tillers forming; plant height increases
Apply moderate nitrogen fertilizer (2-3 times during warm season). Monitor for weeds and control early. Can begin light grazing once well-established.
Flowering
4-6 weeksDistinctive two-rowed panicles (seed heads) emerge; plant height can reach 20-36 inches
Reduce grazing or allow flowering period for seed production. Apply maintenance fertilizer (especially K and P) to support seed development.
Seed Maturation
4-6 weeksSeeds develop and mature; foliage may yellow slightly; seed heads darken
Defer grazing to allow seed dispersal. Collect seed if propagation desired. Seeds mature 4-6 weeks after flowering.
Dormancy/Winter
3-4 months (varies by zone)Growth slows significantly in cooler months; foliage may brown in frost-prone areas
Minimal fertilizer needed. Maintain light grazing or rest paddocks. In zone 8, may experience frost damage but typically regrows from rhizomes.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Monitor for defoliation; heavy grazing rotation can suppress populations; insecticidal control rarely needed due to resilience of grass
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Implement rotational grazing; natural predators usually adequate; chemical control only if severe outbreak threatens productivity
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Maintain adequate soil moisture during dry periods; usually not economically damaging; monitor stressed plants
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and
More problematic in overly wet conditions; improve drainage; not typically severe in established pastures
Uses
Livestock Forage
CulinaryPalisade grass is a highly palatable warm-season forage highly preferred by cattle, sheep, and goats. It provides nutritious grazing from late spring through early fall and maintains reasonable feed quality even as mature forage. [source]
Wildlife Habitat and Food
WildlifeThe grass provides excellent cover and forage for wildlife including quail, deer, and small mammals. Seed production supports granivorous birds and contributes to ecosystem biodiversity. [source]
Soil Conservation and Erosion Control
HouseholdWith its deep rhizome system and dense root structure, palisade grass stabilizes soil, reduces erosion, and improves soil structure over time. It's valuable for terraced slopes and areas prone to water runoff. [source]
Land Restoration
HouseholdPalisade grass is used in restoration of degraded and overgrazed pastures due to its ability to thrive in poor soils and withstand heavy grazing pressure. It can improve marginal lands unsuitable for other crops. [source]
Hay Production
CulinaryWhen properly managed and harvested at boot stage, palisade grass produces nutritious hay suitable for livestock feeding. It dries efficiently and maintains feed quality better than many tropical grasses. [source]
Harvest Tips
For grazing: Begin rotational grazing once grass reaches 8-12 inches height; graze to 3-4 inches residual height to maintain plant vigor. For seed production: Allow flowering and delay grazing 6+ weeks; harvest seed heads when mature (brown color). Can be grazed multiple times per growing season depending on rainfall and fertilizer application.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Palisade grass gets its name from the distinctive two-rowed arrangement of spikelets along the seed head, resembling a palisade fence.
- 🌱 Unlike many warm-season grasses, palisade grass is highly palatable and preferred by livestock even when mature, making it excellent for extended grazing seasons.
- 🌱 The grass can persist under heavy, continuous grazing that would devastate many other pasture species, and actually improves in density and vigor with proper grazing management.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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