Photo: Leon PerrieCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Annual Hair Grass Plant Care
Aira caryophyllea L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This plant is known for its delicate, needle-like leaves that form dense tufts. Originating from Europe and Asia, Aira caryophyllea is highly sought after by plant collectors for its unique texture and ability to create a lush, low-maintenance ground cover in the garden.
Every 3–5 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–85°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Annual Hair Grass?
Water Annual Hair Grass every 3–5 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–85°F (16–29°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 8 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Annual Hair Grass Native To?
- Albania
- Algeria
- Angola
- Austria
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Benin
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Bulgaria
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Cape Verde
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Côte d'Ivoire
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Djibouti
- DR Congo
- Egypt
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Estonia
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- Finland
- France
- Gabon
- Germany
- Ghana
- Greece
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Kenya
- Latvia
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libya
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Mali
- Malta
- Mauritania
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Niger
- Nigeria
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Republic of the Congo
- Romania
- Russia
- Rwanda
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Senegal
- Serbia
- Sierra Leone
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Somalia
- South Africa
- South Sudan
- Spain
- Sudan
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Tanzania
- The Gambia
- The Netherlands
- Togo
- Tunisia
- Uganda
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
What Is the Annual Hair Grass?
Annual Hair Grass (Aira caryophyllea) belongs to the Poaceae family within the Aira genus. Annual Hair Grass is native to Europe, Africa, and Asia. Annual Hair Grass is also known as Pearl-grass, Silvery Hair Grass.
Annual Hair Grass displays a tall, upright grass growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Annual Hair Grass produces small inconspicuous flowers in panicles.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Annual Hair Grass?
Aira caryophyllea requires watering every 3–5 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 3–5 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Annual Hair Grass Need?
Annual Hair Grass thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Annual Hair Grass Prefer?
Aira caryophyllea grows best at temperatures of 60–85°F. Annual Hair Grass prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–85°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Annual Hair Grass?
Well-draining loamy soil with good fertility. Good drainage is essential for Annual Hair Grass to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Annual Hair Grass?
Feed Annual Hair Grass every 8 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 8 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Annual Hair Grass?
Divide and repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Annual Hair Grass?
Annual Hair Grass can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to cupani's hair grass plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Annual Hair Grass Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Annual Hair Grass, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Annual Hair Grass?
Annual Hair Grass is susceptible to aphids, grasshoppers, cutworms. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Annual Hair Grass Need?
Annual Hair Grass grows outdoors in USDA Zone 6a – 10b. It survives winters down to planting zone 6a. Annual Hair Grass is native to Europe, Africa, and Asia.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 6a – 10b
Keep exploring plants
Annual Hair Grass is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Aira genus — compare its care with other Aira species on PlantoScan.
Aira is part of the Poaceae plant family — browse all Poaceae genera and species.
Annual Hair Grass thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Aira caryophyllea L., family Poaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 66 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Annual Hair Grass, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: Leon Perrie, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 6a – 10b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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