Melinis spp.

natal grass

HardinessZones 8–11

Overview

Melinis spp. is a genus of about 20 to 25 warm-season grasses in the family Poaceae, native to Africa and naturalized across many warm regions of the world. Plants form tufted to sprawling clumps from 1 to 4 ft (0.3 to 1.2 m) tall, with narrow, flat leaf blades that are sometimes hairy or sticky. A common ornamental species, M. repens, Natal or ruby grass, carries airy panicles of silky spikelets that open pink to ruby-red and fade to silvery white, glowing when backlit. M. minutiflora, molasses grass, has clammy, molasses-scented foliage and is grown as a tropical forage and cover crop. As fast-growing C4 grasses, they grow rapidly in warmth and full sun on poor, well-drained soils, and tolerate heat and drought once established. Many species are short-lived but self-seed heavily, returning year to year from abundant seed. The same vigor makes several, including M. repens and M. minutiflora, invasive weeds in Florida, Hawaii, Australia, and other warm areas, where they crowd out native plants and add to fire fuel. Frost cuts back or kills the top growth. The plants regrow from the crown or from seed after cutting, grazing, or burning.

Native Range

Melinis spp. is native to tropical and southern Africa, with a few species reaching the Arabian Peninsula. It has been introduced widely and is now naturalized through the Americas, Australia, Asia, and the Pacific.

Suggested Uses

Grown as an ornamental clump and accent grass for its coloured seed heads in dry borders, gravel gardens, and containers in warm climates. Molasses grass is used as tropical forage, ground cover, and a cover crop. Where the grasses have naturalized and turned weedy, planting is avoided and stands are removed.

How to Identify

Recognized by tufted or sprawling warm-season clumps with narrow leaf blades and airy, branched panicles of silky, hairy spikelets. In Natal grass the seed heads open pink to ruby-red and age to silvery white; molasses grass has sticky, strongly scented foliage. The fluffy, colourful seed heads separate Natal grass from most other clump grasses.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 4'

Width/Spread1' - 3'

Colors

Flower Colors

red

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~16 weeks

Summer Fall

Flowering and seeding run through the warm season, mainly summer and autumn, and longer in frost-free climates. The silky panicles of Natal grass open pink to ruby and fade to white, while wind and animals carry the light seed widely. Plants can flower within a few months of germinating, which speeds their spread.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

pink to ruby-red, fading to silvery white

Foliage Description

green to blue-green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-12 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 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

sand loam rocky

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

1 year

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Melinis spp. species grow in full sun on poor, sandy, well-drained soils and tolerate heat, drought, and low fertility once established. Growth is fast in warm weather, and ornamental Natal grass reaches flowering size in a single season. Rich, wet, or shaded sites give soft growth and fewer seed heads. Frost knocks back or kills the top growth, so in cold regions the grass is treated as a warm-season annual. Because several species self-seed heavily and spread into wild land, they are removed before seed set where they are weedy. Cutting, grazing, and burning all prompt regrowth from the crown or fresh seed.

Pruning

Ornamental clumps are cut back to near ground level in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Spent seed heads are sheared off to limit self-seeding where the grass is invasive. Plants regrow quickly from the base after cutting.