Stipa tenuissima
Mexican feather grass
A deciduous grass to 60cm, forming a compact upright tuft of thread-like leaves, with narrow, arching, feathery pale brown flowering panicles in summer
Other common names
Texas needle grassSynonyms
Stipa tenuissima 'Pony Tails'Nassella tenuissima 'Pony Tails'
see moreNassella tenuissima
Stipa tenuifolia misapplied
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Brown Green | Green | ||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing or North–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H4Botanical details
- Family
- Poaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Tufted
- Genus
Stipa can be evergreen or deciduous, mostly perennial grasses with arching, folded or rolled, linear leaves and narrow panicles of often long-awned spikelets in summer and autumn
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- USA to S America
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in medium to light, moderately fertile soil in full sun
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown in pots in a cold frame in spring or by division in spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Architectural
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Low Maintenance
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Leaves can be cut back when they die off; rather than doing this in late autumn it's best to wait until early spring
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.