Types of Desert Grass For Your Landscape (With Pictures) – Identification Guide
Ornamental grasses have a crucial role in a desert landscape. Planting decorative desert grasses in a hot, arid environment doesn’t just improve the aesthetics of your front or back yard. Desert grasses also help to support ecosystems in harsh environments. What’s more, planting decorative, drought-tolerant grasses for desert terrains is surprisingly straightforward because they are easy to grow and maintain.
Do you live in a hot, dry region and want to landscape your front or backyard with ornamental desert plants and grasses? If so, please continue reading.
This article is a guide to growing grasses in the desert and how to identify the best species for your growing zone. In addition, you will find helpful tips on choosing tall desert grasses for privacy and which low-growing grasses are suitable for a desert landscape.
How to Use Desert Grass in the Landscape
Growing plants, including various kinds of grass in a desert climate or arid landscape, can be challenging. For example, the grasses should tolerate heat and drought and not require much maintenance. Additionally, it’s vital to choose a type of desert grass native to your region; otherwise, it may become invasive.
Many types of desert grasses are clumping varieties. For example, tall desert grasses like pampas grass, purple fountain grass, and Chinese silver grass have long, showy feather-like plumes. You can plant them as specimen plants or clumped together to create a privacy screen.
Low-growing clumping desert grasses are perfect landscaping plants for an arid climate. These grasses typically have ornamental blades growing in attractive mounds. Small desert grasses grow well as foundation plantings, along borders, or for landscaping around warm-season turfgrass lawns or flower beds.
Tall Ornamental Desert Grass
Tall ornamental grasses for a desert landscape can boost your yard’s visual appeal. Whether you want to add a tall accent to a front yard or provide shelter in a backyard, there are several tall desert kinds of grass to choose from. These are low-maintenance grasses that grow between 5 and 15 ft. tall (1.5 – 4.5 m).
Purple Fountain Grass (Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’)
The ornamental purple fountain grass has decorative pinkish flowering spikes that sway in the wind
Purple fountain grass is a showy, ornamental, mounding desert grass with beautiful plumes of feathery pink flowers. This popular warm-season grass has slender green leaves growing upwards and arching. The pink-flowering evergreen grass is low-maintenance, fast-growing, drought-tolerant that thrives in full sun. In addition, the fountain grass tolerates high temperatures, humidity, and wind.
Purple fountain grass grows between 3 and 5 ft. (1 – 1.5 m) tall and up to 4 ft. (1.2 m) wide. The pinkish fuzzy flowering spikes grow up to 15” (37 cm) long and look attractive, swaying in the wind.
Purple fountain grass is a highly versatile plant, suitable for hot and cold landscapes. The ever-blooming grass creates a dramatic statement as a specimen plant or planted in groups growing along borders.
Zones: 8 to 11
Light exposure: Full sun
Height/spread: 5 ft. tall, 4 ft. wide (1.5 x 1.2 m)
Feather Reed Grass (Calamagrostis × acutiflora)
The low-maintenance feather reed grass is a tall clumping grass for full or partial sunny landscapes
Feather reed grass is a care-free ornamental grass suitable for desert landscapes. The grass grows as clumps of narrow leaves dwarfed by tall feathery flowering stems. This fast-growing grass is prized for its upright blades and stalks, creating an attractive visual appeal in a sunny garden.
Feather reed grass grows 3 to 6 ft. (1 – 1.8 m) tall and 2 to 3 ft. (0.6 – 1 m) wide. Its attractive features are pinkish-purple feathery plumes that turn golden tan as the seed heads mature. You can plant this as a lovely specimen plant or massed to create a tall border. It is also a superb tall ornamental clumping grass for a backdrop.
If you live in an exceptionally hot climate, then a better choice of reed grass would be Pacific reed grass. This low-growing perennial grass is suitable for growing in zones 7 to 11 and reaches 5 ft. (1.5 m) tall and 3 ft. wide (0.9 m).
Zones: 3 to 9
Light exposure: Full sun, partial sun
Height/spread: Up to 6 ft. tall (1.8 m) and 2 ft. wide (0.6 m)
Zebra Grass (Miscanthus sinensis ‘Zebrinus’)
Zebra grass is a tall ornamental grass suitable for a privacy hedge or as an accent plant
Zebra grass is a clump-forming ornamental grass with attractive variegated blades. The tall, slender blades of grass have horizontal creamy-yellow bands giving the grass an unusual look. In summer, eye-catching pinkish-copper feathery flowers appear before turning a silvery color in the fall. One of the attractive features is the flowering spikes growing taller than the mound of grass.
Zebra grass foliage grows 4 to 6 ft. (1.2 – 1.8 m), forming a mound up to 6 ft. (1.8 m) wide. When blooming in the summer, the tall flowering spikes grow 2 ft. (0.6 m) taller than the plant, giving it a height of 8 ft. (2.4 m).
Zebra grass is ideal for planting in full sun as an accent plant, screen, hedge, or massed as a border plant. Once established, it is tolerant of drought and salt and suitable for many dry landscapes.
Zones: 5 to 9
Light exposure: Full sun
Height/spread: 5 to 7 ft. (1.5 – 2.1 m) tall and 6 ft. (1.8 m) wide.
Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)
Switchgrass is a tall decorative grass that grows best in full sun
Switchgrass is an attractive ornamental grass with erect stems forming a narrow clump of grassy foliage. In summer, the perennial grass blooms with purplish flower clusters creating an airy cloud above the mounding grass. This warm-season grass becomes an attractive golden-yellow color in the fall.
Switchgrass is a North American native prairie grass with plenty of decorative features. The clumping ornamental grass grows 3 to 6 ft. (1 – 1.8 m) tall and up to 3 ft. (1 m) wide. This easy-to-grow grass thrives in most soils, including dry, sandy soils that experience drought. However, for best results, plant it in full sun.
Zones: 5 to 9
Light exposure: Full sun, partial sun
Height/spread: 3 to 6 ft. (1 – 1.8 m) tall and 2 to 3 ft. (0.6 – 1 m) wide
Tall Desert Grass For Privacy
Tall ornamental desert grasses have many uses in a garden landscape. Many tall varieties of desert grasses have dense foliage and decorative features like plumes of feathery flowers. This makes the tall grasses ideal for creating a natural privacy screen for arid climates.
Pampas Grass (Cortaderia selloana)
Pampas grass is a popular tall landscaping grass with attractive white feathered spikes
Pampas grass is a true desert ornamental grass with spectacular creamy white-silver colored feathered plumed spikes. This showy grass is known for its tough, arching blades with sharp margins. The characteristic eye-catching white, dusty pink or silver plumes emerge in summer. In warm regions, pampas grass stays evergreen; in colder areas, its foliage becomes tan-colored.
As one of the most spectacular and popular ornamental grasses, pampas grass is ideal for planting as a tall desert grass for privacy. Its razor-sharp grass blades grow densely in an arching habit and will deter would-be intruders. In addition, the flowering grass grows 10 ft. (3 m) tall, keeping prying eyes away from your backyard.
Pampas grass is a versatile clumping desert grass. You can plant it en masse to create a wind screen, privacy barrier, or tall border. It’s also an excellent specimen plant for adding visual appeal to a desert landscape.
Zones: 7 to 11
Light exposure: Full sun, part sun
Height/spread: 6 to 10 ft. (1.8 – 3 m) tall and 4 to 7 ft. (1.2 – 2.1 m) wide
Decorative Bamboo For Desert Landscapes
Bambusa multiplex ‘Alphonse Karr’ (in the picture) is a decorative non-invasive bamboo that grows in hot climates
Decorative bamboo is a type of tall grass, and some species are well-suited to growing in desert conditions. Bamboo grasses are characterized by their fast growth, long yellow to tan hollow canes, and bushy foliage. In addition, various varieties of decorative bamboo for desert landscapes have colorful leaves and stems.
A popular variety of bamboo for growing in a hot climate is Bambusa multiplex ‘Alphonse Karr.’ This tall grass has bright golden yellow canes with a hint of pink. However, the stems turn orange-red in bright sunshine — ideal for brightening a desert landscape. In addition, this non-invasive variety ensures it won’t get out of control.
Bamboo can grow at least 10 ft. (3 m) tall, making it the perfect desert grass for privacy.
Zones: 9 to 10
Light exposure: Full sun, part sun
Height/spread: 10 to 30 ft. (3 – 9 m)
New Zealand Flax (Phormium tenax)
New Zealand flax is a hardy tall ornamental grass suitable for heat, drought and poor soils
New Zealand flax is a dramatic ornamental grass for growing in desert landscapes. The robust evergreen plant has stunning dark green, strap-shaped pointed leaves that arch at the tips. In addition, gorgeous red tubular flowers bloom in summer, growing in clusters at the ends of long stalks.
New Zealand flax grows 4 to 6 ft. (1.2 – 1.8 m) tall and wide. Its dark-colored foliage grows in a basal rosette, creating a vivid focal point in a garden landscape. Being resistant to heat, drought, and poor soils, it is well suited for arid climates or xeriscaping.
Tall enough to grow as a desert privacy plant, New Zealand flax can provide shelter and visual appeal in your yard.
Zones: 7 to 11
Light exposure: Full sun, partial sun
Height/spread: 4 to 6 ft. (1.2 – 1.8 m) tall and wide
Chinese Silver Grass (Miscanthus sinensis)
the tall Chinese silver grass can be grown as a warm climate privacy grass
Chinese silver grass is a tall-growing, bushy ornamental heat-tolerant grass with slender arching leaves and rosy-pink or beige pendant plumes. This upright clumping plant is a warm season grass creating a fountain-like appearance. In the fall, its narrow blades turn orange or yellow and hold its ornamental interest throughout winter.
Chinese silver grass grows 4 to 9 ft. (1.2 – 2.7 m) tall and up to 6 ft. (1.8 m) wide. Planted en masse, you can grow Chinese silver grass as a decorative privacy screen in warm climates.
Zones: 4 to 9
Light exposure: Full sun, partial sun
Height/spread: 4 to 9 ft. (1.2 – 2.7 m) tall and 3 to 6 ft. (1 – 1.8 m) wide
Low Growing Desert Grass For Landscaping
Many species of low-growing ornamental clumping grasses are suited to arid landscapes. These short, desert grasses are ideal for adding shape and texture to a hot climate or planting along a foundation line.
Desert Plains Fountain Grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides)
The desert plains fountain grass is a versatile decorative grass for full sun or partial shade
Desert plains fountain grass is a warm season decorative grass which grows in graceful clumps. The upward, arching, slender green leaves have an attractive golden yellow color in the fall. In late summer, showy bottlebrush flowers emerge, creating a reddish-purple or beige fountain-like spray.
Desert plains fountain grass grows 2 to 3 ft. (0.6 – 1 m) tall and thrives in full sun or partial shade. The versatile grass is ideal in beds and borders, planted along a foundation line, or used as a specimen plant. It’s also perfect for planters to create a cascading effect in a desert container garden.
Zones: 6 to 9
Light exposure: Full sun, part shade
Height/spread: 2 to 3 ft. (0.6 – 1 m) tall and wide
Mexican Feather Grass (Nassella tenuissima)
The Mexican feather grass has delicate flowering panicles but can be invasive in some areas
Mexican feather grass is a relatively low-growing ornamental garden plant with fine, long needle-like leaves and arching feathery flowering panicles. The fine-textured grass creates a wispy clump of foliage that sways with the slightest breeze. Due to its heat tolerance, it thrives in the southwestern United States.
Mexican feather grass grows 2 to 3 ft. (0.6 – 1 m) tall and wide.
It should be noted that the grassy plant can be invasive in some regions, so it’s best to find out if it is suitable for your area before planting it.
Zones: 7 to 10
Light exposure: Full sun
Height/spread: 2 to 3 ft. (0.6 – 1 m) tall and wide
Pink Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris)
The pink muhly grass looks beautiful when planted en masse in desert landscapes
Pink muhly grass is an outstanding low-growing desert plant with feathery panicles of pink to reddish-pink flowers. The fine colorful foliage and flowers create mounds of cloudy-looking plants resembling cotton candy. This ornamental grass with its airy flowers is long-blooming and keeps its pink color from summer through fall.
Pink muhly grass grows 2 to 3 ft. (0.6 – 1 m) tall and wide. For the best effect in a desert landscape, plant the grasses grouped for spectacular pink fall colors. It’s also an attractive ornamental grass for borders, foundation plantings, and ground cover in full sun.
Zones: 6 to 11
Light exposure: Full sun
Height/spread: 2 to 3 ft. (0.6 – 1 m) tall and wide
Blue Fescue (Festuca glauca)
Blue fescue is a dwarf ornamental grass that is suitable as a ground cover for full sun
Blue fescue is a low-growing, mounding ornamental grass that thrives in heat, poor soils, and full sun — ideal for growing in the desert. The best decorative feature of blue fescue is its eye-catching blue foliage consisting of blade-like needles. These grassy plants grow in rounded mounds, adding color accents to gardens in mild winter areas throughout the year.
Blue fescue grows up to 1 ft. (0.3 m) tall and 1.5 ft. (0.45 m) wide. Thriving in full sun, you can grow this desert plant as full sun ground cover or plant it in borders, along edges, containers, or rock gardens.
Zones: 4 to 10
Light exposure: Full sun
Height/spread: 0.5 to 1 ft. (0.15 – 0.30 m) tall and 1.5 ft. (0.45 m) wide.
Purple Lovegrass (Eragrostis spectabilis)
The low-growing colorful feathery flowers of the purple lovegrass add focal point and texture to arid landscapes
Purple lovegrass is a warm-season ornamental bunchgrass that thrives in sandy soils in Texas, Arizona, California, and Mexico. This decorative desert grass is characterized by loose, open feathery reddish-purple flowers creating an airy cloud covering the grassy mound. The soft appearance of purple lovegrass is perfect for adding texture to a garden landscape.
Purple lovegrass grows 1 to 2 ft. (0.3 – 0.6 ft.) tall and wide. You can expect the cloud-like flowers to appear during July and August. This airy desert plant looks best growing massed in borders or used as ground cover for full sun
Zones: 5 to 9
Light exposure: Full sun
Height/spread: 1 to 2 ft. (0.3 – 0.6 ft.) tall and wide
Other Types of Decorative Desert Grass
Japanese Blood Grass (Imperata cylindrica ‘Red Baron‘)
The Japanese blood grass provides a beautiful color in fall and winter in arid climates
Japanese blood grass is a spectacular addition to a desert garden because of its eye-catching bright cranberry-colored leaves. The foliage of the red-colored grass blades emerges bright green and turns crimson red in late summer before becoming deep burgundy in the fall and winter. This ornamental grass provides excellent color contrast with other plants.
Japanese blood grass doesn’t grow taller than 2 ft. (0.6 m), making it ideal for beds, borders, edging, or massed as ground cover. In addition, the plant’s tolerance for drought and direct sunlight makes it perfect for landscaping if you live in an arid climate.
Zones: 5 to 9
Light exposure: Full sun, partial sun
Height/spread: 1 to 2 ft. (0.3 – 0.6 m) tall and wide
Deergrass (Muhlenbergia rigens)
Deergrass is a low-growing ornamental grass with spiky appearance suitable for arid landscapes
Deergrass is an ideal desert ornamental grass that creates a spiky clump of attractive bright green to silvery-green leaves. The slender, pointed leaves grow upright and arch at the ends, creating an explosion of leafy foliage. In the summer, eye-catching flowering spikes rising 5 ft. (1.5 m) tall bloom with yellow or purplish flowering spikes.
In warm winter regions, the decorative grassy clumps are evergreen, taking on a straw color. It’s a robust desert plant, native to the southwestern US. But due to its tolerance of drought and hot sunshine, this easy-care grass is perfect for arid landscapes and xeric gardens.
Zones: 7 to 10
Light exposure: Full sun
Height/spread: 3 to 5 ft. (1 – 1.5 m) tall and 3 to 4 ft. (1 – 1.2 m) wide
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