Deschampsia cespitosa aka Tufted Hair Grass

Taxonomy

Genus Deschampsia Family Poaceae Order Poales Class Liliopsida Phylum Tracheophyta
Deschampsia cespitosa, also known as tufted hairgrass or tussock grass, is a perennial tufted plant in the Poaceae family. With a widespread distribution across various regions including the eastern and western coasts of North America, parts of South America, Eurasia, and Australia, this species is highly versatile. It is commonly cultivated as an ornamental garden plant, with several cultivars available such as 'Goldschleier' and 'Goldtau', both of which have received the prestigious Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. Additionally, Deschampsia cespitosa serves as a larval host to the Juba skipper and the umber skipper. This evergreen grass forms dense tussocks and can reach a height of 1 meter when in flower. Its rough, rigid, linear leaves provide an attractive foliage throughout the year. During the early to late summer, it produces airy, arching panicles of brown flower spikelets. These flower spikes can be cut and used in fresh or dried floral arrangements. The appearance of Tussock Grass varies depending on soil and light conditions, resulting in different flower and foliage characteristics. It has dark green leaves and in summer, it displays cloud-like green to gold inflorescence that eventually turns into a light golden straw color, which persists into the winter season. This plant thrives in light to moderate shade, is salt tolerant, and has the ability to self-seed.

Common names

Tufted Hair Grass, Tufted Hairgrass, Tussock Grass

How to care for Tufted Hair Grass

Difficulty

Caring for Tufted Hair Grass is a breeze, as it is highly adaptable and forgiving to minor neglect.

Water

Tufted Hair Grass should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Tufted Hair Grass loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Tufted Hair Grass requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Tufted Hairgrass is always in the right place to thrive.

Toxicity

There is no verified data on the toxicity of this plant in the records of Ploi. If any person, including yourself, a family member, or a pet, consume plant material with an uncertain toxicity level, it is advisable to seek the advice of a healthcare expert.

Growth-pattern

Clumping is a defining characteristic of the Tufted Hair Grass, with new growth appearing from the soil surrounding the primary plant.

More info:
Wikipedia