It can be quite vigorous and spread rapidly in moist, fertile soil.

Does it need full sun?

It actually prefers partial shade and will struggle in intense, direct sun.

Plant guide

Creeping soft grass.

Holcus mollis

Pronounced HOL-kus MOL-iss

Also known as Creeping Fog, Creeping Soft-Grass, Creeping velvetgrass, German velvet grass, German velvetgrass, creeping soft grass, creeping softgrass, creeping velvet grass

creeping velvet grass — Photo by Stephan Mende (CC BY) via iNaturalist

This hardy perennial grass is known for its spreading habit and soft, velvety foliage. It makes a lovely ground cover in woodland gardens or shaded borders. You'll find it's quite resilient once it gets settled in your garden.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Perennial grass
Light: Partial shade to full sun
Indoor light: Medium light
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 1 to 2 feet
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 4 to 9
Bloom time: Late spring to early summer

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist to mimic its natural woodland habitat. Watch for excessive spreading, as this grass can become invasive in smaller garden beds. Simply trim back any unwanted runners to keep it contained.

Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged.
Feeding: Apply a balanced fertilizer once during the spring growing season.
Pruning: Cut back dead foliage in late winter or early spring to encourage fresh growth.
Repotting: Divide the clumps every couple of years to prevent overcrowding.
Soil: Moist, well-draining soil
Soil pH: Acidic to neutral
Temperature: -20 to 30°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years.
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water running straight through the pot without soaking in.

Safety

People: There are no significant toxic properties reported for humans.
Children: The sharp edges of the blades can cause minor paper cuts if handled roughly by children.
Contact allergens: The leaf blades have fine hairs that can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: The pollen can trigger seasonal allergies in susceptible people during the flowering period.
Edibility: This grass is not intended for human consumption and may cause digestive upset.

How to identify it

Soft, hairy leaf blades
Creeping underground rhizomes
Pale green flower panicles
Loose, mat-forming growth habit

Height: 0.2 to 0.4m
Spread: 0.3 to 1m
Leaves: green, white, deciduous
Flowers: white, green, 0.5 to 1cm

Problems to watch for

Rust · Fungal infection causing orange pustules on the leaves during humid weather.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: division, seed
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: The foliage will die back in winter. Simply trim the dead blades to the ground in late winter to make room for new spring growth.
In containers: It grows well in containers, but use a large pot to accommodate its spreading nature.

Division

1. Dig up a clump in spring or autumn.
2. Gently tease the rhizomes apart into smaller sections.
3. Replant the divisions immediately in moist soil.

Plant this in a contained area or with deep edging to prevent it from wandering into your other beds.

Grows well with

Hosta · They share similar shade and moisture requirements.
Fern · The contrasting textures look lovely in a woodland setting.

Similar species

Yorkshire Fog · It is a close relative but lacks the creeping rhizomatous habit.

Science

Family: Poaceae
Genus: Holcus
Order: Poales
Class: Liliopsida
Native range: Europe and parts of Western Asia.
Conservation: This plant is common and not of conservation concern.

It thrives in woodland edges and damp meadows where it forms dense mats through rhizomatous growth.

Value to wildlife: larval host plant
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: groundcover, container plant, shade garden accent

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 5/9
Light: 4/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 6/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is it invasive?: It can be quite vigorous and spread rapidly in moist, fertile soil.
Does it need full sun?: It actually prefers partial shade and will struggle in intense, direct sun.

Where the name comes from

Holcus is an ancient Greek name for a type of grass, while mollis describes the soft, hairy texture of the foliage.

Good to know

It spreads aggressively via underground rhizomes.
The specific epithet mollis means soft, referring to the velvety texture of the leaves.
It is often called creeping soft grass.

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This guide was generated with AI on October 19, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.