Mount Cook Lily Plant Care
Chionochloa australis (Buchanan) Zotov
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Chionochloa australis, or carpet grass, is a species of grass, endemic to New Zealand. It is known as haumata or wī kura in Māori.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Mount Cook Lily?
Water Mount Cook Lily every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 8 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Mount Cook Lily Native To?
What Is the Mount Cook Lily?
Mount Cook Lily (Chionochloa australis) belongs to the Poaceae family within the Chionochloa genus. Mount Cook Lily is native to New Zealand. Mount Cook Lily is also known as Snow Tussock.
Mount Cook Lily displays a clumping grass growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Mount Cook Lily produces small inconspicuous flowers in panicles.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Mount Cook Lily?
Chionochloa australis requires watering every 7–14 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 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Mount Cook Lily Need?
Mount Cook Lily thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Mount Cook Lily Prefer?
Chionochloa australis grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Mount Cook Lily prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Mount Cook Lily?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Mount Cook Lily to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Mount Cook Lily?
Feed Mount Cook Lily 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 Mount Cook Lily?
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 Mount Cook Lily?
Mount Cook Lily can be propagated through division, seed. Similar propagation techniques also apply to pale tussock grass plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Mount Cook Lily Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Mount Cook Lily, 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 Mount Cook Lily?
Mount Cook Lily is susceptible to aphids, grasshoppers. 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 Mount Cook Lily Need?
Mount Cook Lily grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Mount Cook Lily is native to New Zealand. In cooler regions, grow Mount Cook Lily as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Mount Cook Lily 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 Chionochloa genus — compare its care with other Chionochloa species on PlantoScan.
Chionochloa is part of the Poaceae plant family — browse all Poaceae genera and species.
Mount Cook Lily 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: Chionochloa australis (Buchanan) Zotov, family Poaceae (first published in New Zealand J. Bot. 1: 103 (1963)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Mount Cook Lily, 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.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- 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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