Nassella
( nas - SEL - uh )
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At-A-Glance InformationThis genus, commonly called Needle Grass, includes perennial grasses once included in the genus Stipa. The plants in this group have needle-like appendages that lend a feathery look to the plant. They are native to California and are commonly used for revitalizing soils and restoring natural meadows. These grasses will go dormant during times of hot weather and dryness, but will revive in cool weather and rains. Use these grasses in mass plantings or as groundcover or soil stabilization on sloped areas of the landscape, as specimens, along pathways or fences, or in containers.
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Nassella Species and Varietals
The genus Nassella is a member of the plant family Poaceae and includes 116 species. These grasses are closely related to those in Stipa. The best growing zones for Nassella vary depending on the species, though they primarily do well in USDA hardiness zones 7-10. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
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Nassella cernua (Nodding Needle Grass) This species grows well in USDA hardiness zones 7a-10b or Sunset growing zones 7-9, 11, and 14-24 and reach 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide. Leaves are deep green and awns are purple-flushed, aging to silver. Flowers appear in late winter and early springtime. |
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Nassella lepida (Foothill Needle Grass, Small-Flowered Needlegrass, Foothill Stipa, Foothills Nassella, Smallflower Tussockgrass) This species is a classic California native that grows well in USDA hardiness zones 7-11 or Sunset growing zones 7-9, 11, and 14-24. These grasses are quite similar to Nassella cernua, but produce shorter awns. Individual grasses can reach to about 2-3 feet tall and form mounds to 1-2 feet wide. Leaves are light green. |
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Nassella pulchra (Purple Needle Grass, Purple Tussockgrass, Purple Stipa) This species grows well in UDSA hardiness zones 7a-11b or Sunset growing zones 5-9, 11, and 14-24, and is a classic California native similar to the others in the genus, but with 4-inch awns. These grasses can reach up to 2-3 feet tall and 1-3 feet wide at maturity. Leaves are green and awns are purplish-brown to tan in color. |
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Caring for Nassella
Install grasses 36 inches apart for best coverage and airflow; if planting as a dense mass-planting (good for hillsides), space between 18 and 24 inches apart. Plant them in full sun; ideally, they like to receive between 6 and 8 hours of direct sun each day for best growth rate and color. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 5.0 and 8.4 (acidic to alkaline). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, these grasses are considered drought-tolerant, and can get by on little to no supplemental water, especially when grown in shade. Avoid overhead watering; water deeply but infrequently.
Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. These grasses are not heavy feeders, and this should be sufficient to provide the necessary nutrients for the active growing and flowering seasons. Pruning is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage at any time during the growing season. In early springtime, cut the foliage down to just 3-6 inches to encourage healthy new growth. Nassella is a perennial grass that can survive decades in the landscape in optimal conditions.
Caring for Nassella in Containers
Nassella does well in the ground but can also be grown in containers, providing lush foliage and winter interest to balconies and patios. Choose a container that is at least a few inches wider and deeper than the nursery pot or root ball. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away. Fill with a well-draining potting mix amended with organic material and perlite, and top with a layer of mulch to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water regularly as the plant establishes itself in its new home. Once established, waterings can be lessened. These grasses, when grown in containers, will need more frequent irrigation than those grown in the ground. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Prune to remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time during the growing season and cut the entire plant back to 3-6 inches in late winter or early spring. Every few years, check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not outgrowing its root space. If roots are growing through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, it is a good indication that it needs to be potted up; choose a slightly larger container and repot. Nassella will also need to be divided every few years; for instructions on how to divide these grasses, see the Propagation section below.
Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. These grasses are not heavy feeders, and this should be sufficient to provide the necessary nutrients for the active growing and flowering seasons. Pruning is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage at any time during the growing season. In early springtime, cut the foliage down to just 3-6 inches to encourage healthy new growth. Nassella is a perennial grass that can survive decades in the landscape in optimal conditions.
Caring for Nassella in Containers
Nassella does well in the ground but can also be grown in containers, providing lush foliage and winter interest to balconies and patios. Choose a container that is at least a few inches wider and deeper than the nursery pot or root ball. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away. Fill with a well-draining potting mix amended with organic material and perlite, and top with a layer of mulch to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water regularly as the plant establishes itself in its new home. Once established, waterings can be lessened. These grasses, when grown in containers, will need more frequent irrigation than those grown in the ground. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Prune to remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time during the growing season and cut the entire plant back to 3-6 inches in late winter or early spring. Every few years, check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not outgrowing its root space. If roots are growing through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, it is a good indication that it needs to be potted up; choose a slightly larger container and repot. Nassella will also need to be divided every few years; for instructions on how to divide these grasses, see the Propagation section below.
Propagation
The best way to propagate these grasses is though division of existing plants. To propagate your Nassella grasses, follow the instructions below:
Propagating Nassella by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil, compost and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in early spring or fall. To propagate by division, follow these steps:
Propagating Nassella by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil, compost and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in early spring or fall. To propagate by division, follow these steps:
- Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the root(s). Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
- Separate the removed patch of grass into sections using a sharp, clean knife or trowel. Ensure that each division has a healthy root system and a few shoots. Any dried out areas with dead roots can be tossed in the compost.
- Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with well-draining soil and compost and work it in. Water thoroughly, and then plant divisions.
- Keep soil consistently moist as the newly-planted divisions establish strong root systems in their new home. Provide regular waterings, especially during dry spells.
Problems and Pests
Nassella grasses can be susceptible to developing issues with the following pests and diseases in the landscape:
- Rust
- Smut
- Aphids
- Leaf Spot
Gallery
Nassella grasses can be used to dot mixed beds and borders.
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Nassella and California Poppy share this native meadow landscape.
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This drought-tolerant garden bed includes Westringia and Lavender planted under Nassella grasses.
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Videos
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Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Pages 452 - 453, Nassella
