Gulf Muhly Grass

Muhlenbergia capillaris

Poaceae (Grass)

A native bunchgrass that erupts into a cloud of pink-purple plumes every fall. Tough, xeric, and stunning.

Texas nativeDrought-toughFull sunLow water

Gulf Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris) illustration — Texas Roots plant database, by Jordan Polasek

Sun

Full sun

Water

Very low

Soil

Lean, well-drained

pH

6.0–8.0

Hardiness

Hardy native grass

Height

2–3 ft

Spacing

2–3 ft

Days to harvest

Established

What it is

Gulf Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris) is in the Poaceae (Grass) family. A native bunchgrass that erupts into a cloud of pink-purple plumes every fall. Tough, xeric, and stunning.

How to grow it

It wants full sun, water it very low, and give it lean, well-drained soil. Target a soil pH around 6.0–8.0. Space plants about 2–3 ft apart. Expect roughly Established. Hardy native grass.

How it's used

Gulf Muhly Grass is used: ornamental.

🔎 How to identify it

Fine green blades
Airy pink-purple fall plumes
Clumping bunchgrass

Not for eating

Grown for the garden, soil, or pollinators — not as food.

🌤 Before you plant: check the live 7-day garden weather to time it right for frost and heat.

Part of the free Texas Roots plant database, compiled by Jordan Polasek from his greenhouse in El Campo, Texas. Free to read and share. If it helped, the best thanks is to grow something.