Mexican feather grass (Stipa tenuissima) is a grass plant that can grow 50cm – 1.5m tall and 10cm – 50cm wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant Mexican feather grass (Stipa tenuissima).
This plant has several common names including: Mexican feather grass or Texas needle grass.
This is a deciduous plant that takes 2-5 years to reach full maturity.
In this article
Plant profile
Common name: Mexican feather grass, Texas needle grass
Scientific name: Stipa tenuissima
Plant type: Grasses
Habit: Tufted
Height: 50cm – 1.5m
Spread: 10cm – 50cm
Foliage: Deciduous
Sunlight: Full Sun
Soil: Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Moisture: Moist but well drained, Well drained
Garden type: Architectural, City & Courtyard Gardens, Informal Garden
Planting type: Flower borders and bedding, Low Maintenance
Other characteristics: RHS Award of Garden Merit
Seasonal colors
| Season | Stem | Foliage | Flower | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||||
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
How to plant Mexican feather grass (Stipa tenuissima) – Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
How to plant
In this section we will learn how to plant Mexican feather grass (Stipa tenuissima), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.
Soil
Mexican feather grass (Stipa tenuissima) is a plant that adapts to all types of soils, chalk, clay, loam or sand.
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The chalky soil is pale and contains chunks of calcium-rich rock. It is a fertile and well-draining soil, almost always alkaline.
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Clay soil is composed of more than 25 percent clay particles. These particles have a high moisture holding capacity and the soil is heavy to dig and can be waterlogged in winter (dry in summer).
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The loam soil is dark, rich in organic matter but balanced in minerals. It offers the best of all worlds, retaining enough water for the plants, but allowing excess moisture to drain away. This is the most desired type of garden soil, perfect for most plants.
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Sandy soil is light, porous and very easy to drain. It is a soil poor in organic matter and nutrients. It is composed of relatively large mineral particles that allow water to drain quickly.
It is not very sensitive to soil acidity or alkalinity and grows well in soils with pH acid, alkaline or neutral.
Regarding drainage, Stipa tenuissima likes to grow in moist but well drained or well drained soils.
Sunlight
Mexican feather grass (Stipa tenuissima) should be grown in full sun places.
Cultivation profiles – Growing Mexican feather grass (Stipa tenuissima) – Drew Avery, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
