Photo: Andrew BazdyrevCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Needle Grass Plant Care
Stipa capillata L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This plant's most distinctive visual feature is its delicate, feathery, silvery-white plumes that sway gracefully in the breeze. Originating from the grasslands of Europe and Asia, Stipa capillata is highly sought after by plant collectors for its elegant appearance and ability to add a soft, ethereal touch to any garden landscape.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–85°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Needle Grass?
Water Needle 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 50–85°F (10–29°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 8 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Needle Grass Native To?
- Albania
- Austria
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- The Netherlands
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
What Is the Needle Grass?
Needle Grass (Stipa capillata) belongs to the Poaceae family within the Stipa genus. Needle Grass is native to Europe and Asia. Needle Grass is also known as Feather Grass.
Needle Grass displays a clump-forming grass growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Needle Grass produces feathery panicles in shades of gold, silver, or purple.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Needle Grass?
Stipa capillata 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 Needle Grass Need?
Needle Grass thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Needle Grass Prefer?
Stipa capillata grows best at temperatures of 50–85°F. Needle Grass prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–85°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Needle Grass?
Well-draining sandy soil with good aeration. Good drainage is essential for Needle Grass to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Needle Grass?
Feed Needle 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 Needle 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 Needle Grass?
Needle Grass can be propagated through division, seed sowing. Similar propagation techniques also apply to feather grass plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Needle Grass Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Needle 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 Needle Grass?
Needle 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 Needle Grass Need?
Needle Grass grows outdoors in USDA Zone 5a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 5a. Needle Grass is native to Europe and Asia.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 5a – 9b
Keep exploring plants
Needle 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 Stipa genus — compare its care with other Stipa species on PlantoScan.
Stipa is part of the Poaceae plant family — browse all Poaceae genera and species.
Needle Grass thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Stipa Species
Other Stipa species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Stipa capillata L., family Poaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. ed. 2 : 116 (1762)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Needle 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: Andrew Bazdyrev, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 5a – 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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