Mexican feather grass (Stipa tenuissima): growing and use

A fine grass that sways in the slightest breeze. Where it thrives, how to cut it back and what to combine it with.

Mexican feather grass, botanically Stipa tenuissima or Nassella tenuissima, is also sold under the name 'Pony Tails'. It forms a dense clump of hair-fine leaves that turn straw-coloured from June and move with every breath of wind.

Where to plant it

It needs full sun and free-draining, rather poor soil. It copes well with drought and badly with winter wet. In heavy clay soil, add gravel or coarse sand to the planting hole.

How to care for it

Do not cut it back in autumn. The dry clump protects the centre of the plant through winter. In spring, comb out the old leaves with a gloved hand or shorten the clump to about a third. It needs no feeding and flops in rich soil.

What to expect

It is a short-lived grass and individual clumps usually last a few years. On a suitable site it self-seeds, though, so the planting keeps renewing itself.

What to combine it with

It suits gravel and steppe borders alongside salvias, coneflowers, gaura or sedums. In larger groups it forms a continuous, rippling expanse.

Stipa tenuissima in our catalogue