Stipa tenuissima

Description

Stipa tenuissima – Mexican feather grass

Botanical name: Nassella tenuissima (syn. Stipa tenuissima)
Common names: Mexican feather grass, pony tails
Family: Poaceae (grass family)
Plant type: Deciduous to semi-evergreen grass
Habit: Arching, clump-forming, fountain-like
Pot size: 2–3 litre pot
Eventual size: Approx. 45–60cm tall × 45cm spread
Foliage: Very fine, soft, thread-like bright green foliage forming a flowing mound; deciduous to semi-evergreen
Flowers: Soft, silky, feathery plumes from early summer, green at first then fading to pale blonde, flowing and shimmering in the wind (June–September)
Scent: Not scented
Aspect / light: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained; poor to average; dislikes wet; any pH
Hardiness: RHS H5 (hardy, to about −15°C); USDA zones 6–9
Exposure: Open, sunny; dislikes wet
Native range: Species native to the Americas
Toxicity / pet & child safety: Generally considered non-toxic to people and pets

Stipa tenuissima, Mexican feather grass, forms flowing mounds of fine, soft, thread-like foliage and silky plumes that fade to blonde and ripple beautifully in the wind. Superb for movement in sunny borders and gravel.

GardenAdvice notes

One of the most tactile and popular of all grasses, Mexican feather grass forms soft, flowing mounds of fine, thread-like foliage and silky plumes that shimmer and ripple in the faintest breeze, fading from green to pale blonde. It brings wonderful softness and movement to sunny, well-drained plantings — but it self-seeds very freely, so it needs a little management.

Growing & planting

Plant in spring in well-drained soil in full sun — sharp drainage and sun are essential, and it dislikes cold, wet conditions. Improve heavy ground with grit. Space appropriately for its size.

Care & maintenance

Low-maintenance. Comb out the dead, blonde foliage and old plumes by hand in late winter or spring rather than cutting hard. Water while establishing. Crucially, it self-seeds prolifically, so remove seedheads before they ripen if you wish to prevent it spreading. Can be short-lived, but seedlings usually replace it.

Propagation

• Division: Lift and divide established clumps in spring, as growth begins.
• Seed: Sow seed in spring; it self-seeds freely, so remove seedheads before ripening if you wish to limit this.

Pests & diseases

Generally trouble-free in a sunny, well-drained spot. Its main enemy is winter wet. Otherwise little troubled by pests or disease.

Uses in the garden

Superb for movement and softness in sunny borders, gravel and prairie-style plantings, edging paths where it can be brushed against, and in bold drifts, where its rippling plumes flow in the wind.

Wildlife value

The airy flowerheads and seeds provide food for birds and add habitat and movement to naturalistic plantings.

Toxicity & safety

This grass is generally regarded as non-toxic to people and pets.

GardenAdvice tip

Mexican feather grass is beloved for its softness and the way it flows in the wind — plant it beside a path where you can trail your hand through it, or in drifts for a rippling, hair-like effect. Do be aware it self-seeds very freely, to the point of being a nuisance in some gardens, so comb out and remove the seedheads before they ripen if you want to keep it under control.

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