Mexican feather grass seedlings do best when planted in the spring.
This plant is a perennial in USDA zones 7 through 10, returning year after year.
And in its most ideal zones, it self-seeds.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
It is also a good plant to use in borders forcottage gardens.
Although Mexican feather grass does flower, treat it like any otherfoliage plant, complementing it withflowering plants.
As a plant primarily grown for its foliage, it offers visual interest across multiple seasons, including winter.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
It goes dormant in winter in zones 7-10 and will eventually send up new green growth in spring.
Many homeowners with slopes to plant choose to grow Mexican feather grass because it helps control erosion.
Check with your local county extension before planting it to see if it isinvasivein your region.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Soil
Plant Mexican feather grass in loamy soil since it needs good drainage.
If your soil is not loose enough, loosen it up by using sand and organic matter.
Water
Mexican feather grass has low-to-average water needs.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Once established, it is drought-tolerant.
Mexican feather grass copes with droughts by going into dormancy.
Temperature and Humidity
Mexican feather grass isn’t a great lover of hot summery weather.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
It doesn’t die out, but it tends to lose color in the warmest, most humid months.
Fertilizer
Fertilize Mexican feather grass annually with a good layer of compost.
Once it’s established, the problem is challenging to control.
Two ways to remove Mexican feather grass are physical and chemical removal.
you’re able to physically remove it by hand weeding or strategic grazing.
Mowing has the opposite effect; it becomes a seed dispersal method versus removal.
Propagating Mexican Feather Grass
Mexican feather grass can be propagated by sowing seeds ordivision.
Division is best done in the spring before your grass sends up any new shoots of growth.
Dividing is an excellent way to break up large clumps.
Here’s how to propagate Mexican feather grass.
Water regularly; plant outside when sturdy.
Given its height, it is most effective as the central plant in a mixed planting.
Surround it with shorter plants that enjoy full sun and sharp drainage.
Be especially careful to avoid overwatering Mexican feather grass when grown in a container.
Overwintering
Mexican feather grass will not survive in areas that experience frosty winters.
Some animals may forage from Mexican feather grass if you leave it in the ground over the winter.
Deer and rabbits tend to leave it alone.
Common Problems With Mexican Feather Grass
Mexican feather grass is a low-maintenance, easy grower.
It doesn’t have too many problems, resisting most diseases and pests.
Herbicides are another remedy.
It will produce sterile seeds.
Also, feed these grasses only once per growing season; springtime is usually best.
Grass Turning Brown
As temperatures cool, you may notice browning beginning to occur on the tips.
It is starting to die back in preparation for going dormant.
Mexican feather grass is a hardy species that grows easily in USDA zones 7 through 10.
As a zone 7 plant, the lowest temperatures it can withstand are 0 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit.
Early spring is also the best time to divide clumps for propagation purposes.
Finestem needlegrass (Nassellatenuissima(Trin.)
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.
