Garden Display Plant Guide

Botanical Name

Nassella Tenuissima

Common Name

Mexican Feather Grass

The light green leaves are very fine and upright. The foliage turns light brown in winter. Wispy, upright to gently arching panicles appear in summer bearing small, silvery yellow spikelets. The mature fruits have a thin, light brown, terminal bristle that can reach 2-4″ long, creating a feather-like appearance. Synonymous with Stipa tenuissima.

Best grown in evenly moist to dry, well-draining, sandy, rich loams in full sun to partial shade. Tolerant of rocky and clayey soils as long as they are not overly moist. Tolerant of drought once established. Plants may go dormant during periods of summer drought. Cut the foliage back in late winter before new growth emerges in spring.

USDA Zone: Zones 6-10
Sunset Zone: Zones 7-9
Mature Height: 1 – 2 feet
Mature Width: 1 – 2 feet
Light Needs: Full Sun/Part Shade
Water Needs: Low