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Stipa tenuissima (Mexican feather grass)

Photo/Illustration: Stephanie Fagan

(Based on 5 user reviews)

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Hardiness Zones:

Botanical Name: Stipa tenuissima STY-pah ten-yew-ISS-ih-mah

Common Name: Mexican feather grass Genus: Stipa

No other grass exhibits quite the refinement of texture as this species. Its bright green foliage resembles delicate filaments that arise in elegant, vase-like clumps and spill outward like a soft fountain. All summer it bears a profusion of feathery panicles, which mature from foamy-green to blonde. It is native to the Americas.
Care: Grow in moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Remove the old foliage of evergreen species in early spring.
Propagation: Sow seed in a cold frame in spring; divide from midspring to early summer.
Problems: Damping off, rust, smut, brown patch, brown stripe, eye spot.

Overview
User Reviews
Photos

Height	1 ft. to 3 ft.
Spread	1 ft. to 3 ft.
Growth Habit	Clumps
Growth Pace	Moderate Grower
Light	Full Sun Only
Moisture	Adaptable
Maintenance	Low
Tolerance	Deer Tolerant;Drought Tolerant;Frost Tolerant
Characteristics	Native; Self Seeds; Showy Flowers; Showy Foliage; Showy Seed Heads
Bloom Time	Summer
Flower Color	Brown Flower; Green Flower
Uses	Beds and Borders, Container, Dried Flower, Naturalizing, Specimen Plant/ Focal Point, Suitable as Annual
Style	Desert Garden, Meadow Garden, Rock Garden
Seasonal Interest	Winter Interest, Spring Interest, Summer Interest, Fall Interest
Type	Grasses

Rate this plant

posted by tiny22
8/19/2012
Region: Mountain West
Zone: 9

I've had the Grass on the central coast of California and boy does it take off! Its beautiful, and hardy an I really enjoyed it in slight breeze's.

posted by Nillo
9/4/2011
Region: Southern California
Zone: 10

One persons invasive plant is another's dream groundcover. This is a native plant that spreads easily by seed. It requires very little water and gets by easily on Los Angeles' 15" per year. I love this plant as a turf grass replacement as it can outcompete other undesirable plants. Plus it is gorgeous.

posted by plantnutsSB
7/29/2011
Region: Southern California
Zone: 10

Dangerously invasive grass promises to be a fire hazzard as Pennesetum setaceum is on the coast and highways of our region. It is unstopable once introduced. Pulling stray seedlings would be a full time job involving tresspassing.

posted by 10shoe
5/21/2011
Region: Southern California
Zone: 9

Extremely Invasive in CA! Once established it will become a pesky weed cropping up everywhere and it is extremely hard to get rid of in CA.

posted by PapaG
11/29/2008
Region: Southwest
Zone: 8

We love this plant, and use it for structure in several of our xeric beds. It moves nicely in the breeze. The seed heads are pretty when back lit--the can look like a wet dog after a rain, though! We eventually trim seed heads after they get too matted. Will reseed, but managing its spread is no problem--just pull up the new plants. Very low water plant. Not sure how it would do with a lot of water.

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