Photo: no rights reservedCC0 1.0via iNaturalist
Pink Muhly Grass Plant Care
Muhlenbergia capillaris Trin.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Muhlenbergia capillaris, commonly known as the hairawn muhly, is a perennial sedge-like plant that grows to be about 30–90 cm (0.98–2.95 ft) tall and 60–90 cm (2.0–3.0 ft) wide. The plant includes a double layer; green, leaf-like structures surround the understory, and purple-pink flowers outgrow them from the bottom up.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–85°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Pink Muhly Grass?
Water Pink Muhly Grass 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 60–85°F (16–29°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 8 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Pink Muhly Grass Native To?
What Is the Pink Muhly Grass?
Pink Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris) belongs to the Poaceae family within the Muhlenbergia genus. Pink Muhly Grass is native to eastern North America and can be used for a multitude of purposes, including ornamental gardening and farming. Pink Muhly Grass is also known as Hairawn Muhly, Annual Muhly.
Pink Muhly Grass displays an upright, clumping grass growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Pink Muhly Grass produces small, inconspicuous flowers in spikelets.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Pink Muhly Grass?
Muhlenbergia capillaris 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 Pink Muhly Grass Need?
Pink Muhly Grass thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Pink Muhly Grass Prefer?
Muhlenbergia capillaris grows best at temperatures of 60–85°F. Pink Muhly Grass prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–85°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Pink Muhly Grass?
Well-draining sandy soil with good aeration. Good drainage is essential for Pink Muhly Grass to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Pink Muhly Grass?
Feed Pink Muhly 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 Pink Muhly 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 Pink Muhly Grass?
Pink Muhly Grass can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to deer grass plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Pink Muhly Grass Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Pink Muhly 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 Pink Muhly Grass?
Pink Muhly Grass is susceptible to grasshoppers, aphids, spider mites. 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 Pink Muhly Grass Need?
Pink Muhly Grass grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Pink Muhly Grass is native to eastern North America and can be used for a multitude of purposes, including ornamental gardening and farming. In cooler regions, grow Pink Muhly Grass as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Pink Muhly 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 Muhlenbergia genus — compare its care with other Muhlenbergia species on PlantoScan.
Muhlenbergia is part of the Poaceae plant family — browse all Poaceae genera and species.
Pink Muhly 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: Muhlenbergia capillaris Trin., family Poaceae (first published in Gram. Unifl. Sesquifl. : 191 (1824)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record, Wikidata.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Pink Muhly 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: Public domain, CC0 1.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, 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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