Hypoxis hygrometrica (Golden Weather-grass)

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Hypoxis spp.

stargrasses

Hypoxidaceae Americas, Africa, Asia, Australia

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Container Friendly

Native to North America

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 5–9

Overview

Hypoxis spp. is a genus of about 90 species of small, grass-like perennial herbs in the family Hypoxidaceae, native to the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Australia. Plants grow from a fleshy corm and form low tufts 4 to 16 inches (10 to 40 cm) tall, with narrow, often hairy, grass-like leaves that arch outward. The flowers are star-shaped, with six pointed yellow tepals 0.5 to 1 inch (1.3 to 2.5 cm) across, opening a few at a time on slender stalks among the leaves. Bloom occurs over a long period in spring and summer, with flowers opening in sunshine and closing in dull weather. The genus grows in grasslands, open woodland, savanna, and meadows, often in seasonally moist soils that dry in the off-season. In several species, including the African H. hemerocallidea, the corm is used in traditional medicine. A limitation in cultivation is the plant small stature, which is readily overtaken by taller, more vigorous neighbors, and its dormancy, during which the foliage disappears entirely.

Native Range

Hypoxis spp. is native to the Americas, sub-Saharan Africa, eastern Asia, and Australia. In North America, H. hirsuta grows in prairies, open woods, and meadows across the central and eastern regions, while the genus reaches its greatest diversity in southern Africa.

Suggested Uses

Hypoxis spp. species are used in rock gardens, the front of borders, native meadow and prairie plantings, and short-grass areas where their low tufts and yellow flowers are not overtopped. The corm-forming habit suits naturalized plantings that are left undisturbed.

How to Identify

Identify Hypoxis spp. by its low tufts of narrow, hairy, grass-like leaves and its six-pointed, star-shaped yellow flowers borne on slender stalks. The flowers are bright yellow inside and often greenish and hairy on the back of the tepals. The fleshy underground corm and the hairy foliage separate the genus from true grasses and from yellow-flowered lilies.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height4" - 1'4"

Width/Spread4" - 1'

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow

Foliage Colors

green

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~14 weeks

Spring Summer

Hypoxis spp. blooms over an extended period from spring into summer, roughly April through August depending on species and region. Only a few star-shaped flowers open at once, each lasting a day or two, with new flowers continuing in succession. Flowers open in sun and close under cloud.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 4-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Across the genus, Hypoxis spp. grows in full sun to light shade in moist, well-drained soil that may dry during dormancy, with a soil pH of about 5.5 to 7.0. Plants are grown from seed or by division of the corms during dormancy. Moisture during active growth supports flowering, while sharp drainage prevents corm rot in winter wet. The small plants are placed at the front of beds or in short grass where taller plants will not shade them out. Foliage dies back to the corm in the off-season, and the soil is left undisturbed until growth resumes.

Pruning

Little pruning is needed. Spent flower stalks can be removed to limit self-seeding, and the foliage is left to die down naturally so the corm can store energy. Congested clumps are lifted and divided during dormancy.