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Choose your climateBased on winter hardiness only.

Grass · Poaceae family

Tufted hair grass

Deschampsia cespitosa

Full sun to shade 1 ft 11⅝ in–3 ft 11¼ in × 1 ft 3¾ in–1 ft 11⅝ in to −90 °F

In short a 10-second read

SunFull sun to shade
Size1 ft 11⅝ in–3 ft 11¼ in
spacing 19¾ in
PlantingMarch–April, September–October
WinterNo winter protection

Where to plant and how much to water

Sun, soil and water.

It grows best in full sun to shade, in soil from dry to moist.

Sun

Sun6 hours or more
Part shade3–6 hours
Shadeunder 3 h

Soil

acidic to neutral soil
acidicneutralalkaline
dry to moistloamyhumus-richclay

Watering

keep the soil evenly moistless when it rains

Frost

−90 °F
no winter protectiongreen in winter too

How much space it takes

Mature size.

The mature plant next to a person (69 in).

19¾ in3 ft 3⅜ in4 ft 11 in1 ft 11⅝ in–3 ft 11¼ inspread 1 ft 3¾ in–1 ft 11⅝ in
1 ft 11⅝ in–3 ft 11¼ in× spread 1 ft 3¾ in–1 ft 11⅝ in

Plant 19¾ in apart.

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

Through the year.

Typical for a temperate climate (four seasons). The line shows the current month.

The year at a glance

Planting: JanuaryPlanting: FebruaryPlanting: MarchPlanting: AprilPlanting: MayPlanting: JunePlanting: JulyPlanting: AugustPlanting: SeptemberPlanting: OctoberPlanting: NovemberPlanting: DecemberJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Planting
Now, in October: a good time for planting (container plant).
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Planting

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

container plant: March–April, September–October

What to plant now (October) full list in October (243) →

Feeding

Nutrition.

No feeding

Pests and diseases

Common problems and what to do.

The most common problems in Central Europe. Protection is listed from the gentlest option.

What you will see

Orange, brown or yellow pustules on leaves; leaves turn yellow and drop.

When to look

Mainly from midsummer to fall

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Airy planting spacing so the leaves dry quickly.
    • Do not water the leaves; water at the roots.
  2. By hand after the first pustulesRemove affected leaves at once and dispose of them safely.
  3. Chemical — only when nothing else helps only in a heavy attackA product authorized in your country against rust (only if it is approved for the given crop).
Rustsdisease · mainly from midsummer to fall

What you will see

Orange, brown or yellow pustules on leaves; leaves turn yellow and drop.

When to look

Mainly from midsummer to fall

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Airy planting spacing so the leaves dry quickly.
    • Do not water the leaves; water at the roots.
  2. By hand after the first pustulesRemove affected leaves at once and dispose of them safely.
  3. Chemical — only when nothing else helps only in a heavy attackA product authorized in your country against rust (only if it is approved for the given crop).
More about this problem
Sources (2)

Frequently asked

Quick answers.

Does tufted hair grass tolerate shade?

Yes, it tolerates full shade.

How much space does tufted hair grass need?

At maturity 1 ft 3¾ in–1 ft 11⅝ in wide and 1 ft 11⅝ in–3 ft 11¼ in tall; recommended spacing 19¾ in.

Rusts — what can you do?

Airy planting spacing so the leaves dry quickly. Remove affected leaves at once and dispose of them safely.

Sources (11) Checked 24 October 2026

Similar plants

Have a look at these too.

Little Bluestem

Schizachyrium scoparium

1 ft 11⅝ in–3 ft 11¼ in × 1 ft 5¾ in–2 ft 11⅜ in
Low maintenancegrass
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