Grass · Poaceae family
Argentine Needle-grass
Nassella tenuissima
In short a 10-second read
Argentine Needle-grass (grass) grows to 0.3–0.6 m tall and 0.3–0.6 m wide when mature. It grows best in full sun to part shade, in dry to average soil. Hardy to −18 °C.
× spread 0.3–0.6 m
Where to plant
Sun, soil, frost.
It grows best in full sun to part shade, in dry to average soil. Hardy to −18 °C.
Sun
Tolerates several positions — choose to suit the rest of the garden.
Soil and water
dry to average · watering: little
Soil: sandy, loamy, gravelly
Frost
It overwinters outdoors; in cold, windy spots winter protection is worth it.
How much space it takes
Mature size.
The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).
Next to a person
Reaches maturity in about 2–5 years. The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.
Calendar
What to do and when.
Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.
The year at a glance
Pruning
cut back to the ground (February–March)
Planting
container plant: March–May, September–October
Winter protection
mulch the crown, protect from winter wet
Overwintering
In winter it needs protection.
Before the first frosts: mulch the crown, protect from winter wet.
- Mulch the crown
- Protect from winter wet
- Hardy to −18 °C
- Dies back in winter and regrows in spring
What to combine it with
Same needs, different flowering.
They share the same sun and soil and flower in other months — so the bed flowers for longer.
Frequently asked
Quick answers.
Does Argentine Needle-grass tolerate shade?
It tolerates part shade (3–6 hours of sun), but not full shade.
How much space does Argentine Needle-grass need?
At maturity 0.3–0.6 m wide and 0.3–0.6 m tall; recommended spacing 30 cm.
Does Argentine Needle-grass survive winter outdoors?
Yes, with protection: mulch the crown, protect from winter wet.
Where the data comes from
We compared the data in 22 expert sources. Last checked 28 September 2026.
Show sources (22)
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Nassella tenuissima
- GBIF Occurrence Search API — Nassella tenuissima
- GBIF Vernacular Names API — Nassella tenuissima
- Wikidata (CC0) — Nassella tenuissima
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder — Nassella tenuissima
- NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — nassella tenuissima
- Pladias — Databáza českej flóry a vegetácie
- EPPO Global Database — Nassella tenuissima
- Pollen.lu — Réseau luxembourgeois de surveillance pollinique
- Allergieinformationsdienst (Helmholtz Munich) — Heuschnupfen: Gräserpollen ako spúšťač alergickej rinitídy
- Gardeners' World — Stipa tenuissima
- RHS - Nassella tenuissima
- RHS - How to grow ornamental grasses
- Iowa State Extension - How to Plant Perennials
- RHS - Ornamental grasses: cutting back
- Invasive plant lists — this species is not on them: EASIN, EU, Slovakia, Czechia, Germany, Poland, Denmark
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