With its delicate, long, wispy stems, it’s no wonder people often call Mexican Feather Grass “Angel Hair.” When this ornamental grass thrives in your garden, it puts on a stunning visual show with very little effort on your part. To get that breezy, ethereal look, you just need to nail the right location and keep the maintenance to a minimum.
Feather Grass Loves Light and Heat
In the wild, you’ll mostly find Feather Grass in rocky steppes. In those environments, the soil isn’t exactly “rich,” and water is hard to come by. Because of its roots, this plant is incredibly low-maintenance once it’s in your garden. The most important thing to remember? It’s a total sun-worshipper. You’ll want to pick the sunniest spot in your yard to keep it happy. Since it’s naturally adapted to dry conditions, it handles high heat like a pro.
Getting the Soil Just Right
While Feather Grass is a champ when it comes to drought, it has a major weakness: “wet feet.” If the soil stays too damp, you’re going to run into trouble fast. To keep your grass healthy, make sure your planting site has these qualities:
- Excellent drainage
- Sandy, gravelly, or rocky texture
- Low nutrient levels (no need for heavy fertilizers here!)
Protecting Against Excess Moisture
When it comes to the elements, Feather Grass is pretty tough. It can usually handle scorching summers and freezing winters without breaking a sweat. However, soggy soil is its Achilles’ heel. Too much moisture usually leads to root rot, which can kill the plant pretty quickly.
Beyond just having “breathable” soil, you need to make sure water can actually flow away from the plant. This is why Feather Grass is a fantastic choice for slopes or hillsides in your yard. It also looks amazing (and stays healthy) in rock gardens or Mediterranean-style landscapes with solid drainage systems in place.
