Will this grass grow in my garden?

It prefers acidic, damp, and nutrient-poor soil, so it may struggle in typical fertile garden beds.

Does it need to be mowed?

No, it is a slow-growing, low-stature grass that does not require regular mowing.

Plant guide

Matgrass.

Nardus stricta

Pronounced NAR-dus STRIK-tuh

Also known as Mat-Grass, Matgrass

Matgrass is a hardy, perennial grass that forms dense, low mats in acidic, nutrient poor soils. It is a common sight in heathlands and mountain pastures across Europe. You will find it thrives where other grasses struggle to gain a foothold.

Another photo of Matgrass — Photo by Thomas Gyselinck (CC BY) via gbif

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Perennial grass
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 20 to 30 centimeters
Growth rate: Slow
Hardiness: USDA 3 to 8
Bloom time: Early to mid summer

Care

This grass prefers cool, damp conditions and does not require much attention once established. Watch for signs of drying out during extreme heat, though it is quite drought tolerant in its native range. Keep the soil acidic to ensure it stays healthy.

Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged.
Feeding: It rarely needs fertilizer as it is adapted to poor soil conditions.
Pruning: Trim back dead foliage in early spring to encourage fresh growth.
Repotting: Repot only when the root system has completely filled the container.
Soil: Acidic, sandy, or peaty soil
Soil pH: 4.0 to 6.0
Temperature: -30 to 25°C
Humidity: 60 to 90%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years.
Deer and rabbits: High

Signs it needs repotting

Roots circling the bottom of the pot.
Reduced growth despite adequate moisture.

Safety

People: There are no reports of significant toxicity to humans, though it is not a food source.
Children: The sharp, stiff leaf blades can cause minor scratches to children's skin if they play in dense patches.
Contact allergens: The stiff, wiry leaves can cause minor skin irritation if handled roughly.
Airborne allergens: Like many grasses, it produces wind-borne pollen that may trigger hay fever in sensitive individuals.
Edibility: This grass is not considered edible for humans and is generally avoided by grazing livestock due to its tough, wiry texture.

How to identify it

Dense, tufted perennial grass clumps
Stiff, bristle like grey green leaves
One sided, slender flower spikes
Forms low, mat like colonies

Height: 0.15 to 0.3m
Spread: 0.1 to 0.2m
Leaves: green, grey-green, deciduous
Flowers: purple, yellow, 0.5 to 1cm

Problems to watch for

Rust fungus · Orange or brown pustules may appear on leaves during periods of high humidity.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

Check your matgrass from a photo

Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your plant and tells you what's wrong and what to try first.

Growing it

Propagation: division, seed
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: The plant is fully hardy and requires no special protection. Simply leave the foliage in place to protect the crown from winter moisture.
In containers: It is not well-suited for containers due to its specific need for acidic, nutrient-poor soil and its tendency to form wide mats.

Division

1. Dig up a mature clump in early spring.
2. Gently tease the root mass apart into smaller sections.
3. Replant the sections immediately into acidic, moist soil.

Pair this grass with other acid-loving, low-nutrient plants to create a naturalistic heathland display.

Grows well with

Heath bedstraw · They naturally occur together in acidic heathland habitats.
Tormentil · This plant shares the same preference for nutrient-poor, acidic soils.

Similar species

Purple moor grass · It also prefers acidic, damp soils but grows much larger.

Science

Family: Poaceae
Genus: Nardus
Order: Poales
Class: Liliopsida
Native range: Europe, western Asia, and North Africa. Introduced in parts of North America.
Conservation: It is a common and widespread species in its native range and is not currently of conservation concern.

It survives in harsh, nutrient-poor environments by forming dense mats that conserve moisture and outcompete other species for limited resources.

Value to wildlife: larval host plant
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: erosion control, ornamental grass, habitat restoration

Through the year

JFMAMJJASOND

Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 2/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 3/9
Moisture: 6/9
Nutrients: 1/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Will this grass grow in my garden?: It prefers acidic, damp, and nutrient-poor soil, so it may struggle in typical fertile garden beds.
Does it need to be mowed?: No, it is a slow-growing, low-stature grass that does not require regular mowing.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Nardus comes from the Greek word for a fragrant ointment, though this plant lacks that scent. The specific epithet stricta refers to the stiff, upright growth habit of the leaves.

Good to know

It is commonly known as mat grass because it forms dense, tough mats that exclude other plants.
The plant is highly resistant to grazing, which allows it to dominate overgrazed pastures.
It thrives in acidic, waterlogged soils where few other grasses can survive.

Also in

Deer-resistant plants

Keep your matgrass growing

This page is a general guide. Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked.

Get the app

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.