Squirrel tail grass.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Ornamental grass

Light

Full sun

Indoor light

direct

Water

Every 7 to 14 days

Mature size

1-2 feet tall, 1-1.5 feet wide

Growth rate

medium

Hardiness

USDA 3 to 9

Bloom time

Late spring to summer

Care

Water moderately and ensure good drainage. It can tolerate a range of soil conditions but prefers moist to slightly alkaline soils.

Watering

Keep soil consistently moist, especially when young, but allow the top inch to dry out between waterings.

Feeding

Generally does not require heavy feeding; a light application of a balanced fertilizer in spring is sufficient if needed.

Pruning

Cut back dead foliage in late winter or early spring before new growth appears.

Repotting

Division is recommended every 2-3 years to maintain vigor and manage size, usually done in early spring.

Soil

Prefers moist, well-drained soils; tolerates clay and alkaline conditions.

Soil pH

5.5 - 8.0

Temperature

-34.4 to 32.2°C

Humidity

40 to 60%

Safety

People

None reported.

Pets

May cause mild digestive upset if ingested in large quantities.

Edibility

This plant is not considered edible for humans and may cause mild digestive upset if ingested.

How to identify it

• Feathery, arching flower spikes
• Spikes are tan to reddish-purple
• Narrow, grey-green leaves
• Tufted perennial growth habit
• Becomes straw-colored when mature

Height

0.3 to 0.6m

Spread

0.45 to 0.6m

Leaves

Green, Grey-green, evergreen

Flowers

Tan, Pink, Purple, Green

Growing it

Propagation

Seed, Division

When to plant

Spring, Fall

Pair with other drought-tolerant native perennials that also prefer full sun for a low-maintenance, naturalistic garden.

Grows well with

• Blue Flax — They share similar light and soil needs and provide contrasting color and texture.
• Coneflower — Their upright growth and bloom times complement the feathery texture of squirrel tail grass.
• Blazing Star — Provides vertical interest and attracts pollinators, thriving in similar conditions.

Keep away from

• Shade-loving plants — Squirrel tail grass requires full sun and will not thrive in shady conditions.
• Waterlogged soil plants — While it likes moisture, it dislikes constantly saturated, anaerobic soil which can lead to root rot.

Similar species

• Foxtail Barley — Shares the genus and a similar common name, but Hordeum vulgare is a cultivated grain with a different spike structure.
• Bottlebrush Grass — Also produces prominent, bristly seed heads, though typically more upright and less feathery.

Science

Family

Poaceae

Genus

Hordeum

Order

Poales

Class

Liliopsida

Native range

North America (Canada, United States, Mexico)

It thrives in open, sunny areas, often in moist meadows, ditches, or alkaline flats, where its unique seed dispersal mechanism can be effective.

Value to wildlife

Seed source for birds, Cover for small wildlife

Uses

Ornamental grass, Cut flower arrangements, Erosion control, Wildlife habitat

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is Hordeum jubatum invasive?

While it can spread readily, it is generally not considered invasive in most native areas but can be a weed in cultivated fields.

Can I grow this in a dry climate?

It prefers moist soils but can tolerate some drought once established; consistent moisture will yield the best appearance.

How do I prevent it from spreading too much?

Deadhead the flower spikes before they go to seed if you wish to control its spread.

Where the name comes from

The genus name 'Hordeum' comes from the Latin word for barley. The specific epithet 'jubatum' is Latin for 'maned' or 'crested', referring to the feathery appearance of the flower spikes.

Good to know

• It's sometimes considered a weed in agricultural areas due to its ability to spread.
• The seed heads are attractive in dried arrangements.
• It can tolerate saline soils better than many other grasses.
• Its common name comes from the distinctive shape of its flower heads.