Grass · Poaceae family
feather grass
Stipa pulcherrima
In short a 10-second read
Feather grass (grass) grows to 0.3–1 m tall and 0.5 m wide when mature. It grows best in full sun, in dry soil. Hardy to −23 °C.
× spread 0.5 m
Where to plant
Sun, soil, frost.
It grows best in full sun, in dry soil. Hardy to −23 °C.
Sun
Elsewhere it will grow less well.
Soil and water
dry · watering: little
Soil: loamy, humus-rich
Frost
It copes with a normal winter outdoors.
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
not needed
Overwintering
It copes with winter on its own.
It overwinters outdoors without protection, hardy to −23 °C.
- Needs no protection
- Hardy to −23 °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 feather grass tolerate shade?
No, it needs full sun.
How much space does feather grass need?
At maturity 0.5 m wide and 0.3–1 m tall; recommended spacing 50 cm.
Does feather grass survive winter outdoors?
Yes, without protection, hardy to −23 °C.
Where the data comes from
The data is indicative — we are still comparing it with further sources. Last checked 28 September 2026.
Similar plants
