narrow feather grass

Narrow feather grass should be watered once per week, with 1-2 inches of water each time. Make sure the soil is kept evenly moist, but not overly saturated. Avoid watering during the heat of the day and check the soil to ensure it is not drying out too quickly. Watering should be done at the base of the plant to avoid developing fungal diseases. During periods of extreme heat or wind, water more frequently.

Narrow feather grass is a perennial grass native to the Southwestern United States. It prefers full sun and does best in areas with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Narrow feather grass will tolerate some partial shade, but it will not flower and may become lanky if not enough sun is available. During the hotter months of the growing season, this grass will benefit from some afternoon shade to help keep it from drying out. It may also be beneficial to provide some afternoon shade during the winter months to keep the foliage from developing sunscald. During the growing season, narrow feather grass should receive several hours of direct sunlight each day for it to remain healthy and vigorous.

Narrow feather grass (Nassella tenuissima/Stipa tenuissima) should be lightly pruned in early spring or late fall. Pinch back the foliage to promote a more bushy shape and remove any dead or damaged blades. For vigorous cuts, wait until late spring or early summer to trim the longer shoots back nearly to the ground. This will encourage new growth and side branching. If the grass is looking a bit out of control, cut back a third of it in late spring and a third in late summer to keep it looking neat. Pruning should only be done if the plant is getting too large, as it is a self-seeding and self-spreading grass.