Photo: Richard LittauerCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Tufted Hair Grass Plant Care
Deschampsia caespitosa (L.) P.Beauv.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This plant is known for its delicate, feathery panicles that sway gently in the breeze, adding a soft, graceful touch to any garden. Originating from Europe and Asia, it is a popular choice for plant collectors due to its ability to thrive in a variety of soil types and its tolerance for both drought and wet conditions.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to part shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Tufted Hair Grass?
Water Tufted Hair Grass every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to part 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 Tufted Hair Grass Native To?
What Is the Tufted Hair Grass?
Tufted Hair Grass (Deschampsia caespitosa) belongs to the Poaceae family within the Deschampsia genus. Tufted Hair Grass is native to North America, Central Africa, eastern Australia, New Zealand, and Eurasia and being introduced to South Africa, South Australia and South America. Tufted Hair Grass is also known as Tufted Hairgrass, Wavy Hair Grass, Wavy Hairgrass.
Tufted Hair Grass displays a clumping grass growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Tufted Hair Grass produces delicate panicles of tiny flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Tufted Hair Grass?
Deschampsia caespitosa requires watering every 7–10 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 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Tufted Hair Grass Need?
Tufted Hair Grass thrives in full sun to part shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to part shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Tufted Hair Grass Prefer?
Deschampsia caespitosa grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Tufted Hair Grass prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Tufted Hair Grass?
Well-draining loamy soil with good organic content. Good drainage is essential for Tufted Hair Grass to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Tufted Hair Grass?
Feed Tufted 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 Tufted Hair Grass?
Divide clumps 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 Tufted Hair Grass?
Tufted Hair Grass can be propagated through division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to antarctic hair grass plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Tufted Hair Grass Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Tufted 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 Tufted Hair Grass?
Tufted 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 Tufted Hair Grass Need?
Tufted Hair Grass grows outdoors in USDA Zone 4a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 4a. Tufted Hair Grass is native to North America, Central Africa, eastern Australia, New Zealand, and Eurasia and being introduced to South Africa, South Australia and South America.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 4a – 9b
Keep exploring plants
Tufted 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 Deschampsia genus — compare its care with other Deschampsia species on PlantoScan.
Deschampsia is part of the Poaceae plant family — browse all Poaceae genera and species.
Tufted Hair Grass thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Deschampsia Species
Other Deschampsia species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Deschampsia caespitosa (L.) P.Beauv., family Poaceae (first published in Ess. Agrostogr. : 91 (1812)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Tufted 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: Richard Littauer, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 4a – 9b, 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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