Low-Maintenance Ornamental Grasses

Ornamental grasses, unlike turfgrasses, are true grasses or plants that have the appearance of grass. They are often used to border landscapes or accent plant beds. Keep reading to learn about some grasses that require minimal watering and care in Sarasota County.

Note: The following information is adapted from the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Plant Guide.

Legend

Apart from the information presented in the table, the following features will be highlighted under each plant’s picture.

Light

: At least 6 hours of full sun

: 2-4 hours of full sun per day

: Full shade

Perks

: Attracts pollinators

: Attracts birds

: Edible parts*

Geography

: Native

: Non-native

 

Ornamental Grasses

Muhly grass (Muhlbergia capillaris)

Height	2 to 5 feet
Growth Rate	Moderate
Hardiness	8A to 11
Light Requirement	Full sun
Salt Tolerance	High
Drought Tolerance	High
Soil Preference	Slightly acidic to alkaline (6.0-8.0), sandy clay, well-drained to wet
Comments	Known for its showy pink blooms in the fall

Read more here.

Cordgrass (Spartina spp.)

Height	3 to 5 feet
Growth Rate	Fast
Hardiness	8A to 11
Light Requirement	Full sun
Salt Tolerance	High
Drought Tolerance	High
Soil Preference	Acidic to slightly alkaline (4.5-7.2), sandy clay, well-drained to wet
Comments	Some species are invasive – check before planting!

Read more here.

Gammagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides)

Height	3 to 5 feet
Growth Rate	Fast
Hardiness	8A to 11
Light Requirement	Full to partial sun
Salt Tolerance	Medium
Drought Tolerance	Medium
Soil Preference	Acidic to slightly alkaline (4.5-7.2), sandy clay, medium to well-drained
Comments	Attracts butterflies Blooms are white, pink, yellow, or rust

Read more here.

Bluestem (Andropogon spp.)

Height	3 to 10 feet
Growth Rate	Moderate
Hardiness	3A to 9B
Light Requirement	Full sun
Salt Tolerance	High
Drought Tolerance	High
Soil Preference	Tolerates wide range of soil pH (4.5-8.0), medium to well-drained
Comments	Stems of this grass often have a blue hue

Read more here.

Wiregrass (Aristida stricta var. beyrichiana)

Height	0.5 to 0.75 feet
Growth Rate	Fast
Hardiness	8A to 11
Light Requirement	Full to partial sun
Salt Tolerance	Low
Drought Tolerance	High
Soil Preference	Acidic to slightly acidic (4.5-6.5), sandy clay, well-drained to wet
Comments	Primary food source for gopher tortoises Birds eat the seeds (Florida Wildflower Foundation)

Read more here.

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus)

Height	3 to 4 feet
Growth Rate	Fast
Hardiness	10 to 11
Light Requirement	Full sun to partial sun
Salt Tolerance	Unknown
Drought Tolerance	Moderate
Soil Preference	Tolerates decent range of soil pH from acidic to slightly alkaline, medium to well-drained
Comments	Commonly sold as an edible Great for tea and cooking Also used as a insect repellant

Read more here.

 

If you want to learn about other low-maintenance plants for your landscape, read the rest of our Low-Maintenance Landscaping blog series.

*Although we discuss edibility in this blog, UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County is not responsible for any illness or injury associated with foraging. Be aware that some plants may have been treated with pesticides and are not fit for human consumption. Always exercise caution.