Mexican feather grass also known as Nassella tenuissima, is a beautiful ornamental grass that adds texture and movement to gardens and landscapes. With its delicate hair-like foliage that sways gracefully in the breeze, it’s easy to see why this grass is so popular. But like any plant, Mexican feather grass has specific needs when it comes to care and maintenance. In this complete guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about successfully growing this eye-catching grass.
Overview of Mexican Feather Grass
Mexican feather grass is a perennial ornamental grass native to the southwestern United States, Mexico and Argentina. It’s known for its wispy thread-like green leaves that create a soft, feathery effect. The foliage takes on a blonde hue in summer before turning straw-colored in fall and winter.
In summer, Mexican feather grass sends up airy panicles of flowers that rise above the foliage. The flowers eventually turn into tan seed heads that persist through winter, providing continued visual interest. Mature plants reach 1-3 feet tall and wide, forming neat, fountain-shaped clumps.
This grass thrives in hot, dry conditions and is extremely drought tolerant once established. It prefers full sun exposure and loose, sandy, well-drained soils. Mexican feather grass is hardy in USDA zones 7-10. It spreads slowly via self-seeding and is considered invasive in some regions.
How to Plant Mexican Feather Grass
Mexican feather grass should be planted in spring once the threat of frost has passed. Here are some tips for getting it established:
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Select a site with full sun. This grass needs a minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Morning sun is essential.
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Prepare the soil. Mexican feather grass thrives in loose, sandy soils. Work compost or other organic matter into the soil to improve drainage.
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Space plants 12-18 inches apart. Give each clump adequate room to develop. Plant in rows or groups for best effect.
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Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball. Set the plant at the same depth it was growing in the pot. Backfill and water thoroughly.
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Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch. Mulching helps conserve moisture and control weeds. Replenish as needed.
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Water regularly the first year. Irrigate plants weekly until well established. Then water only during extended dry periods.
How to Care for Mexican Feather Grass
Caring for Mexican feather grass consists mostly of occasional maintenance tasks:
Watering: Once established, Mexican feather grass is highly drought tolerant and needs little supplemental water. Irrigate during periods of drought to prevent foliage from browning.
Fertilizing: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring. Mexican feather grass has low nutrient requirements. Excess fertilizer can cause flopping.
Pruning: Trim off any dead foliage or spent seed heads in late winter just before new growth emerges. Remove approximately a third of the total growth each year to control size.
Dividing: Mature clumps can be divided every 2-3 years in early spring. This prevents overcrowding and encourages new growth.
Winter Care: Mexican feather grass remains evergreen in zones 8-10 but may go dormant and fade to tan in colder zones. The dried foliage provides winter interest. Cut back anytime after it goes dormant.
Pest/Disease Control: This sturdy grass has few serious pest or disease problems. Occasional issues include leaf spot, rust, and aphids. Remove affected foliage promptly.
With its minimal care needs, Mexican feather grass is an excellent option for low-maintenance gardens. Just provide plenty of sun and well-drained soil, and it will thrive with minimal effort.
Growing Mexican Feather Grass in Containers
The fine texture and graceful shape of Mexican feather grass makes it ideally suited for container growing. To successfully grow it in pots:
- Select a container at least 10 inches wide with drainage holes.
- Use a commercial potting mix formulated for containers.
- Situate the pot in full sun. Rotate occasionally for even growth.
- Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil become dry.
- Fertilize monthly during the growing season with a water-soluble fertilizer.
- Repot every 2-3 years as needed; divide rootbound plants.
- Move containers to a protected area in winter if temperatures drop below freezing.
Mexican feather grass should be the thriller or focal point in container plantings. Surround it with shorter plants like sedums, lavender, verbena, and creeping thyme. The goal is to showcase the gorgeous fine-textured foliage.
Troubleshooting Common Mexican Feather Grass Problems
While generally problem-free, Mexican feather grass can encounter a few issues:
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Invasive self-seeding – This grass readily reseeds in optimal growing conditions. Remove seed heads before they mature or discard unwanted seedlings to control spread.
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Foliage browning – Drought stress causes the foliage to brown on the ends and edges. Increase watering frequency.
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Foliage collapse – Excess moisture or overfertilization can cause the foliage to mat down or flop over. Allow soil to dry between waterings and reduce fertilizer.
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Few flowers – Insufficient sun exposure leads to limited flowering. Move plants or thin surrounding vegetation to increase sunlight.
With proper siting, soil preparation, and occasional maintenance, Mexican feather grass is sure to be a standout in gardens and landscape beds. Its delicate texture and graceful, swaying habit make it a beautiful choice for borders, rock gardens, and containers. Just be sure to keep an eye on its spread through self-seeding in ideal growing conditions. With a bit of care, this drought-tolerant grass will flourish for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mexican Feather Grass
Here are answers to some common questions about growing Mexican feather grass:
How big does Mexican feather grass get?
Mexican feather grass reaches 1-3 feet tall and wide when mature. It grows in the form of a neat, compact clump.
What conditions does Mexican feather grass prefer?
This grass thrives in full sun and dry, well-drained soils. Good drainage is essential, especially in winter. It is very drought tolerant once established.
Should I cut back Mexican feather grass in winter?
You can trim off any dead foliage in late winter before new growth emerges. But the dried leaves and seed heads provide nice winter interest, so it’s not essential to cut it back.
How fast does Mexican feather grass grow?
Mexican feather grass grows at a moderate pace, spreading slowly through both growth and self-seeding. Established clumps enlarge by a few inches per year.
Is Mexican feather grass deer resistant?
Yes, deer and rabbits tend to leave this grass alone due to its dry, hardy nature and unappetizing foliage and seed heads.
Is Mexican feather grass invasive?
It can be in certain regions, spreading aggressively by seed. Consider sterile varieties or remove spent seed heads to prevent unwanted spread.
With its delicate, swaying foliage and high drought tolerance, Mexican feather grass is a beautiful ornamental grass for warm, dry climates. Give it plenty of sun, excellent drainage, and occasional maintenance, and this eye-catching grass will add graceful movement and texture to Southwestern gardens.
