How to Grow Pheasant Tail Grass
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Pheasant Tail Grass
Stipa arundinacea
grassStipa arundinacea is an ornamental bunchgrass native to New Zealand, prized for its distinctive reddish-bronze and golden plumage that intensifies in autumn and winter. It grows in upright clumps with fine, hair-like foliage and produces delicate, feathery seed heads that resemble pheasant tail feathers. This perennial is valued for its year-round color and architectural form in gardens.
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Example Pheasant Tail Grass timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Pheasant Tail Grass
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Pheasant Tail Grass
Around Aug 15≈ 120 days after planting
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Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Zones 6-9; performs best in areas with cool winters and moderate summers
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Seedling/Establishment
4-8 weeksYoung plants develop fine, delicate foliage emerging from the base. Growth is relatively slow in the first season.
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Protect from strong winds that can damage tender leaves. Avoid fertilizing heavily.
Vegetative Growth
3-6 monthsPlant develops an upright clump of fine, linear foliage with green to golden tones. Clump gradually expands outward.
Water moderately during establishment. Once established, reduce watering. Mulch lightly with gravel. No fertilizer needed; prefers low-fertility soils.
Maturation
Ongoing after year 1Fully developed clump reaches 2-3 feet tall and wide, with foliage becoming denser and more ornamental.
Maintain excellent drainage. Remove any dead or damaged culms. This stage is when the plant's true structure becomes apparent.
Flowering & Seed Development
2-3 monthsDelicate, feathery panicles emerge in mid to late summer, extending above the foliage. Seeds develop with long, wispy awns.
Allow seed heads to mature and persist into fall and winter for maximum ornamental effect. Do not deadhead if you want self-seeding.
Dormancy & Color Transformation
3-4 monthsIn fall and winter, foliage transforms to rich bronze, copper, and reddish tones. Plant becomes increasingly russet-colored and dramatic.
Do not cut back until late winter or early spring. The dormant plumage is a major ornamental feature. Protect from excessive moisture.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Ensure good air circulation and avoid overhead watering. Remove infected foliage. Apply fungicide if severe, though this grass is generally rust-resistant.
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and
Remove by hand, use slug traps, or apply organic slug baits. These rarely cause serious damage to established plants.
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Improve drainage immediately. Reduce watering frequency. Ensure gravel mulch is present. Consider repositioning plant to drier location.
Uses
Dried Flower Arrangements & Crafts
CraftThe delicate, feathery seed heads are prized for dried floral arrangements, wreaths, and craft projects. They retain their color and form exceptionally well when dried. [source]
Landscape Ornament & Garden Design
HouseholdStipa arundinacea provides year-round visual interest with its fine texture, architectural form, and dramatic seasonal color changes from golden-green to bronze-red. Used in contemporary, cottage, and naturalistic garden designs. [source]
Wildlife Habitat & Erosion Control
WildlifeThe dense clumps provide shelter for beneficial insects and ground-nesting birds. Its root system helps stabilize soil and prevent erosion on slopes and in windswept areas. [source]
Not for Consumption
CulinaryThis ornamental grass is not edible and should not be consumed by humans or animals. It is purely decorative. [source]
Harvest Tips
This is an ornamental grass not harvested for consumption. Seed heads can be cut for dried arrangements in late summer through winter before they fully shatter. Cut when plumes are fully developed but before seeds disperse. Divide clumps in spring when new growth begins to rejuvenate older plants (every 3-4 years).
Fun Facts
- 🌱 The common name 'Pheasant Tail Grass' refers to the striking resemblance of its feathery seed heads to the iridescent tail feathers of a pheasant, making it one of the most evocatively named ornamental grasses.
- 🌱 Stipa arundinacea changes color dramatically with the seasons, shifting from golden-green in spring and summer to a striking bronze, copper, and rust-red in autumn and winter—a transformation that makes it particularly valuable for winter gardens.
- 🌱 This grass is native to New Zealand's native tussock grasslands and has become an increasingly popular choice in Australian, British, and North American gardens, appreciated for its drought tolerance and low-maintenance nature once established.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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