What hardiness zones is Nassella tenuissima suitable for?

Nassella tenuissima is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 7, 8, 9.

What are the sun requirements for Nassella tenuissima?

Nassella tenuissima requires Full Sun.

How much water does Nassella tenuissima need?

Nassella tenuissima has Very Low water needs.

Nassella tenuissima, Mexican feather/hair grass

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Grasses & Grass-like

Nassella tenuissima

Mexican feather/hair grass

Poaceae

Mexico (Chihuahua, Coahuila), New Mexico, and Texas

At a Glance

TypeGrass

HabitClumping

FoliageSemi-evergreen

Height12-24 inches (30-60 cm)

Width18-24 inches (45-60 cm)

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

7 - 9

Zone 7

Zone 8

Zone 9

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Deer Resistant

Drought Tolerant

Container Friendly

Native to North America

Maintenancelow

Overview

A fine-textured, clump-forming ornamental grass in the family Poaceae (formerly Stipa tenuissima), native to high-elevation grasslands and rocky slopes of Mexico, New Mexico, and Texas. Plants form dense, rounded tufts 12–24 inches (30–60 cm) tall of extremely narrow, thread-like leaves — some of the finest-textured of any ornamental grass — in bright green, turning gold-tan by late summer. From late spring through summer, delicate, feathery flowering panicles rise above the foliage, initially green and maturing to silver-white then golden-tan, creating a shimmering, cloud-like effect that moves with the slightest air movement. The persistent seed heads and foliage remain attractive through fall and winter in mild climates. Nassella tenuissima self-seeds prolifically — hundreds of seedlings per plant — and is classified as a noxious weed in California (Class B) and invasive in New Mexico, Texas, parts of Australia, and South Africa. Do not plant near natural areas or native grasslands. In Washington and Oregon, check current local guidance before planting.

Native Range

Native to high-elevation grasslands, rocky slopes, and desert grasslands in Mexico (Chihuahua, Coahuila), New Mexico, and Texas, growing in well-drained, often rocky, poor soils in full sun.

Suggested Uses

Planted in gravel gardens, dry borders, rock gardens, and containers at 18–24 inch (45–60 cm) spacing. The extraordinary fine texture and constant movement provide contrast to bold-leaved plants. Effective in small, contained plantings where self-seeding can be managed. Not appropriate near natural areas or native grassland habitats. A responsible choice for use in containers, raised beds, or paved settings where seedling control is manageable.

How to Identify

Identified by dense tufts of extremely narrow, thread-like bright green leaves that turn gold-tan by late summer, with delicate, feathery panicles of silvery-white to golden-tan seed heads that shimmer and move in the slightest breeze. The hair-like fineness of the foliage — finer than any other common ornamental grass — is diagnostic. Each leaf is approximately 0.5 mm wide.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 2'

Width/Spread1'6" - 2'

Colors

Flower Colors

white

tan

gold

Foliage Colors

green

gold

tan

Fall Foliage Colors

gold

tan

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~8 weeks

SpringSummer

Flowering panicles emerge May through July. Seed heads mature through summer and persist through fall and winter, providing 6–8 months of ornamental interest. The color transitions from green (spring) to silver-white (early summer) to golden-tan (late summer) to straw-beige (fall/winter). Self-seeding begins in summer; manage seedlings promptly in areas near natural grasslands.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

silvery-white to golden-tan feathery panicles

Foliage Description

bright green in spring; gold-tan by late summer; extremely fine and thread-like

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Requires 6-8 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 Range6.0 - 8.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

sandloamrockychalk

Drainage

well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Very Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1 year

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in full sun in poor to average, sharply well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0–8.0. Tolerates rocky, sandy, and gravelly soils. Drought-tolerant once established — overwatering and rich soils produce floppy, weak plants. Cut back to 3–4 inches (8–10 cm) in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges. Monitor and remove self-sown seedlings regularly — this plant can produce hundreds of seedlings per plant per year. Do not plant adjacent to natural areas, native grasslands, or wildland-urban interfaces. Currently classified as a noxious weed (Class B) in California and invasive in New Mexico and Texas.

Pruning

Cut the entire plant back to 3–4 inches (8–10 cm) above the ground in late winter to early spring (February–March) before new growth begins — this is essential for maintaining plant vigor and preventing it from becoming woody at the base. Remove and dispose of (not compost) seed heads before they disperse seeds if spread control is desired. Divide every 3–4 years in spring by lifting and separating the root clump.

Pruning Schedule

early spring

Maintenance Level

low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 3 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic