Plant Care Guide

Muhly Grass

Muhlenbergia capillaris

Muhly Grass is a beloved native ornamental known for its airy, cotton-candy plumes that glow pink, purple, or white each fall. Thriving in warm, dry conditions with almost no maintenance, this Florida and East Coast native forms elegant mounding clumps about 3–4 feet tall and wide. Its deep root system makes it incredibly drought-tolerant, salt-tolerant, and ideal for sustainable landscapes or mass plantings. Whether used as a single accent or planted in large sweeps, muhly grass offers an effortless, year-end display that is unmistakably iconic.

Watering Requirements

Muhly grass prefers dry to moderately dry soil and only needs regular water during establishment.

Watering Schedule

  • Water new plantings weekly for the first 2–3 months
  • Once established, rainfall is usually sufficient
  • Only water if soil is dry 2 inches deep
  • Provide ~1 inch of water during severe drought

Signs of Underwatering

  • Browning at the tips
  • Early plume fading
  • Excessively dry, crunchy foliage

Signs of Overwatering

  • Yellowing foliage
  • Weak growth or flopping
  • Soil that stays wet or boggy

Pro Tips

Muhly grass prefers to dry out completely between waterings. Err on the side of underwatering, wet soil is its #1 enemy.

Light Requirements

For the best plumes, muhly grass needs abundant sunlight.

Ideal Light Conditions

  • Full sun (6+ hours daily) for strong, vibrant plumes
  • Part sun is tolerated but reduces flowering
  • Shade = weak, sparse grass and little-to-no blooms

Too Much Shade

  • Floppy blades
  • Fewer or no plumes
  • Patchy or thin clumps

Pro Tips

If your muhly grass isn’t blooming, sunlight is almost always the reason. Move it to the brightest spot available.

Soil & Potting

Muhly grass thrives in a wide range of soils as long as they are well-draining.

Best Soil Conditions

  • Sandy, rocky, clay, or loamy soil; all acceptable
  • Must drain quickly
  • Prefers slightly acidic to neutral pH
  • Tolerates high salt content (road salt or irrigation salt)

Potting Notes

  • Rarely grown in pots but can be if drainage is excellent
  • Use a coarse, sandy mix
  • Do not allow potting soil to remain wet

Pro Tips

If you struggle with boggy soil, mound your planting area 6–8 inches high. Muhly grass thrives on ridges and berms.

Fertilizing

Muhly grass requires little to no fertilizer.

Feeding Schedule

  • Generally, no fertilizer is needed
  • Avoid high nitrogen; it causes floppy, weak growth
  • If soil is extremely poor, use a light, balanced fertilizer in early spring

Signs It Needs Nutrients

  • Pale foliage (rare)
  • Stunted early-season growth

Pro Tips

Too much nitrogen prevents plumes from forming. Keep fertilizers minimal or skip entirely unless soil tests show deficiencies.

Pruning & Maintenance

Muhly grass is low-maintenance and only needs a seasonal cutback.

How to Prune

  • Cut back in late winter or very early spring
  • Leave at least 3–4 inches above the crown
  • Avoid pruning in summer—this prevents plume formation

Why Pruning Helps

  • Encourages fresh spring blades
  • Prevents clumps from developing a dead center
  • Helps maintain a symmetrical mound

Pro Tips

To rejuvenate oversized clumps, divide them in early spring. Fresh divisions bloom better and stay fuller for years.

Common Problems & Solutions

Flopping or Limp Plumes

Cause: Too much shade, too much nitrogen, or overwatering
Fix: Move to full sun; reduce fertilizing; improve drainage

No or Weak Blooms

Cause: Insufficient light or drought stress
Fix: Increase sun exposure; water during prolonged drought

Yellowing or Thinning

Cause: Overwatering or poor drainage
Fix: Amend soil; create a berm; water less frequently

Mealybugs (rare)

Fix: Spray with neem or hose off with strong water pressure

Pro Tips

Healthy muhly grass is tough. If issues arise, 90% of the time the culprit is too much water or not enough sun.