Does Bunny Tail Grass Come Back Every Year?

Bunny tail grass, also known as lagurus ovatus, is a delightful ornamental grass that adds texture and visual interest to gardens. Its fluffy creamy seed heads resemble cute little bunny tails, giving this plant its common name. If you’re considering adding this adorable grass to your garden, you may be wondering – does bunny tail grass come back every year?

About Bunny Tail Grass

Bunny tail grass is an annual warm season grass native to the Mediterranean region. It grows 8-20 inches tall and spreads 12-16 inches wide. The foliage is green and grassy. But the real showstoppers are the seed heads that emerge in late spring through midsummer.

These seed heads are fuzzy panicles that start out pale green before maturing to a glowing white. As summer progresses they take on a creamy beige color. The seed heads are oval-shaped and fluffy, resembling cute little cotton ball bunny tails. That’s how this grass got its common name.

In addition to bunny tail grass this plant is also known as hare’s tail grass rabbit’s tail grass, and Turk’s head grass. There are a few varieties to choose from as well, including a dwarf cultivar that maxes out at 10 inches tall.

Is Bunny Tail Grass an Annual or Perennial?

Now that you know a bit about bunny tail grass, let’s get back to the main question – does it come back every year?

The simple answer is no. Bunny tail grass is an annual plant, not a perennial. That means the plants complete their entire lifecycle in one growing season.

Annuals germinate, grow, flower, set seed, and die all within a single year. Perennials, on the other hand, come back year after year once established.

So bunny tail grass will not come back on its own in subsequent years You’ll need to replant it from seed each spring if you want to have it in your garden,

That said, bunny tail grass does self-seed readily. So if you allow some of the seed heads to mature and drop their seeds, you may find new bunny tail grass seedlings popping up the following spring But the original plants will not return.

Growing Bunny Tail Grass

Since bunny tail grass is an annual, you’ll need to plant new seeds each year to enjoy it. Here are some tips for successfully growing this ornamental grass:

• Planting zones: Bunny tail grass can be grown as an annual in zones 4-10. It performs best in zones 8-11 where the growing season is long.

• Sun exposure: Bunny tail grass thrives in full sun. Give it at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.

• Soil: Well-draining soil is ideal. Sandy soil is great, but it will tolerate most soil types provided drainage is good.

• Planting time: Direct sow seeds after all danger of frost has passed and soil is warm, around 70°F. You can also start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before your last frost date.

• Planting depth: Sow seeds 1⁄4 inch deep.

• Spacing: Space seed clusters or transplants 10-12 inches apart.

• Care: Water moderately until established. Mature plants are quite drought tolerant. Fertilize lightly in spring if desired.

• Harvest: Snip off seed heads as they mature for floral arrangements or craft projects. Remove spent plants in fall.

With the proper growing conditions, bunny tail grass will thrive and provide a season of enjoyment before dying back at the end of the year. Be sure to collect some seeds if you want it to potentially self-seed for the following year.

Advantages of Bunny Tail Grass

While the fact that it’s an annual may seem like a drawback, there are some advantages to growing bunny tail grass:

• Easy care: This is an extremely low maintenance plant. It requires little watering or care while growing.

• Fast growth: You can grow bunny tail grass from seed to maturity within one season. Perennials may take years to establish.

• Change it up: Since you have to replant annually, you can locate bunny tail grass in different spots each year for variety.

• Works anywhere: You can grow bunny tail grass in flower beds, containers, borders, and more. Its petite size makes it very versatile.

• Drought tolerant: Once established, bunny tail grass has good drought tolerance for an ornamental grass.

• Self-seeds: While not guaranteed, allowing some seed heads to mature may lead to self-seeding. This gives you free plants!

• Inexpensive: Packets of bunny tail grass seeds are inexpensive compared to buying perennial ornamental grasses.

For gardeners who want fast color that’s ultra easy to grow, bunny tail grass checks all the boxes. The fact that it must be replanted annually isn’t necessarily a downside when you consider all the positives.

Using Bunny Tail Grass in the Garden

There are lots of creative ways to showcase bunny tail grass in your garden:

• Plant in groups or clusters for maximum impact.

• Edge a pathway or border for a soft touchable texture.

• Mix with spring annuals and bulbs in flower beds and containers.

• Let it self-seed in areas where you don’t mind naturalization.

• Tuck into any empty pockets or gaps for interest.

• Highlight it in rock gardens, xeriscapes, or Mediterranean gardens.

• Grow dwarf cultivars in window boxes and small pots.

• Line your vegetable garden with bunny tail grass for ornamental appeal.

• Plant it around the bases of roses or trellised vines.

With its compact rounded shape and neutral grassy color, bunny tail grass complements most garden styles. Feel free to get creative with it!

Caring for Bunny Tail Grass

Bunny tail grass care is minimal once the plants are up and growing. Here are the key things to focus on:

• Water thoroughly after planting, then allow the soil to dry out before watering again. Avoid constantly soggy soil.

• Fertilize very lightly, if at all, to avoid excessive floppiness.

• Remove spent seed heads to encourage more blooms and prevent unwanted self-seeding.

• Cut plants back in late fall once they have died back for the winter.

• Remove plant debris and work compost into beds at the end of the season.

Take advantage of bunny tail grass’s natural drought tolerance and low maintenance habits. A little attention is all this plant needs to thrive.

Overwintering Bunny Tail Grass

Unfortunately, bunny tail grass cannot be overwintered since it’s an annual. However, you may get some self-seeded plants the following spring depending on your climate and how many seed heads were allowed to mature and drop seeds.

To encourage self-seeding:

• Leave some spent seed heads on the plants in fall rather than cutting all of them.

• Allow plants to die back naturally in the garden rather than pulling them out.

• Hold off on fall cleanup where bunny tail grass grew until after hard frost.

There are no guarantees, but bunny tail grass often does self-sow when given the chance. These self-seeded plants will give you free bunny tails the next year.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Growing bunny tail grass is usually problem-free, but occasionally issues can crop up:

• Plants failed to germinate: Old seed can have poor germination. Ensure your seed is fresh and sprout it indoors first if in doubt.

• Seed heads are small: Insufficient sunlight or overcrowding can cause stunted bloom size. Give bunny tails ample sun and space.

• Foliage is floppy: Overfertilization and excessive moisture or shade can cause floppiness. Allow soil to dry out between watering and use less fertilizer.

• No self-seeding occurred: Not allowing seed heads to mature on the plants, or cleaning up the garden too soon, can prevent self-sowing.

• Self-seeded too aggressively: To reduce self-seeding, cut off spent seed heads before they open and drop seeds. Also clean up debris promptly after plants die back.

With proper care when growing, bunny tail grass is sure to be a success in your garden. Troubleshoot issues promptly and make any needed adjustments.

Time to Add Bunny Tails to Your Garden!

Now you know that bunny tail grass is an obliging annual that must be replanted each year. But its fast growth, low care needs, and delightful puffy blooms make it well worth adding to the garden.

When spring rolls around again, consider picking up a packet of bunny tail grass seeds. In just a few weeks, you’ll have a patch of adorable fluffy bunny tails bringing a bit of whimsy an