Sporobolus alterniflorus

Cultivation Details

Sporobolus alterniflorus is very tolerant of climate, being found from the cold temperate regions of northeastern Canada through to the tropical regions of S. America. It does, however, need to be by the coast and grows best when in the intertidal zone^[1]. The plant has a short growing season in the north of its range, but in more tropical areas it will grow for most of the year^[2]. Requires a sunny position. The plant is adapted to a wide range of soils from coarse sands to clays and mucks. Plant establishment and productivity appear to be superior on heavier mineral soils such as mucky clays, silty clays, silty clay loams, and fine sands. Soils with very high levels of organic matter pose structural problems and have proven to be problematic in establishing the plant^[1]. Plants can succeed in non-slaine conditions, but generally grow best in moderately salty soils^[1]. In nature, the plants may be inundated with salt water for up to 20 hours per day. Unlike most other marsh plants, the salt-tolerance of cordgrass is directly proportional to water depth^[2]. Smooth cordgrass is a robust, rapidly spreading plant, tolerant to fluctuating water depths and salinity^[1].