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Themeda, Genus, triandra, Species,

Genus & species

kangaroo grass

Poaceae Africa, Asia, and Australia

Attracts Butterflies Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

SunFull Sun

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 8–10

Overview

Themeda triandra, kangaroo grass, is a warm-season perennial tussock grass found across Africa, Asia, and Australia, where it was once a dominant grass of the open plains. It forms a dense clump 18-60 inches (45-150 cm) tall, counting the flowering stems, and 12-24 inches (30-60 cm) wide, with narrow blue-green to grey-green leaves that turn shades of orange, red, and bronze through autumn and dry spells. In summer and autumn it carries open, drooping clusters of reddish-brown spikelets, each with a long bent and twisted awn, held on wiry stems above the foliage. T. triandra grows in grassland, open woodland, and along roadsides on a wide range of well-drained soils, and tolerates drought, fire, and poor ground. It greens up and grows in the warm months and goes dormant and straw-colored in winter, when frost burns the top growth back to the crown. Heavy grazing and frequent disturbance push it out in favor of weeds, so it does better in lightly managed ground. The colored autumn foliage and nodding seed heads have brought it into native meadow and revegetation plantings.

Native Range

Native across Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Pacific, growing in grassland, savanna, open woodland, and hill slopes. In Australia it was a principal grass of the temperate grasslands before widespread grazing. It occurs from the coast to the inland ranges.

Suggested Uses

Grown in native grassland and meadow plantings, on roadsides and embankments for erosion control, and as a fodder and revegetation grass. Its autumn color and seed heads add interest to ornamental grass plantings. The seeds feed birds and the foliage hosts several native butterfly larvae.

How to Identify

Identify it by dense tussocks of narrow blue-green leaves that turn orange-red and bronze in autumn, and by drooping summer clusters of reddish-brown spikelets carrying long, bent, twisted awns. The angular, nodding seed heads are the clearest mark. The leaves color strongly as the season dries. The bent dark awns and one-sided spikelet clusters separate it from many other native grasses.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1'6" - 5'

Width/Spread1' - 2'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

red

Fall Foliage Colors

red

orange

bronze

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~12 weeks

Flowers: December–April

Summer Fall

Flowering and seeding occur in summer and autumn, when wiry stems lift loose clusters of reddish-brown awned spikelets above the leaves. The grass is wind-pollinated. Seed heads persist and weather to straw before shedding.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

blue-green turning orange-red and bronze

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 Range5.0 - 7.5 (Acidic to alkaline)

3579

Soil Types

sand loam clay rocky

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plants grow in full sun on almost any well-drained soil and tolerate drought, heat, and poor ground once established. Water young plants to settle them, after which little is needed. The clump grows actively in the warm months and goes dormant in winter, when frost browns the foliage. Cutting or burning the old growth in late winter clears the way for fresh spring shoots. It needs little or no feeding and declines under rich conditions and heavy grazing. Wet, poorly drained soil shortens its life.

Pruning

Cut or mow the dormant clump to a few inches in late winter to remove old straw before new growth. Burning serves the same purpose in larger plantings and mimics the grass's natural fire cycle. No other trimming is needed.

Pruning Schedule

Prune: July–August

winter