Rough speargrass
Austrostipa scabra · Poaceae
📷 Harry Rose from Dungog, Australia · CC BY 2.0
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant rough speargrass: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Scientific name
- Austrostipa scabra
- Family
- Poaceae (grasses)
- Foliage
- Evergreen, fine and upright
- Flowering
- Summer (June to August)
- Mature height
- 60 to 80 cm
- Origin
- Australia (semi-arid)
- Hardiness
- Hardy to around -10 °C
- Growth rate
- Moderate to fast
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability medium.
Expert tips
The key tip
Virtually self-sufficient once established. Pack down well at planting and limit frequent watering.
The common mistake
Overwatering thinking you're helping: this ornamental grass demands impeccable drainage and refuses chronic moisture.
The pro's trick
Mix coarse gravel or sand into the planting hole and create a slight slope to evacuate water.
Care
Sun exposure
Plant Australian stipa in full sun for optimal growth and dense foliage. It tolerates bright, sun-scorched locations well. Avoid shade, which weakens the plant and reduces its characteristic upright form.
Watering
Once established, this grass requires little water and prefers dry conditions. Water moderately in the first year to encourage root development. In humid climates, reduce watering to prevent crown rot. It tolerates drought very well.
Soil
Australian stipa adapts to most well-drained soils, including poor or chalky ground. Improve drainage with sand or gravel if your soil is heavy or clayey. It tolerates lean soils and will even appreciate rocky conditions.
Pruning and maintenance
Cut back dry stems at the end of winter or early spring (February-March) to rejuvenate the clump. Gently comb through the foliage to remove dead parts. Avoid repeated pruning during the growing season.
Fertilizing
No fertilizer is necessary. This hardy grass makes do with the mineral elements naturally present in the soil. Excess fertilizer would encourage soft growth and weaken its structure.
Diseases and pests
Australian stipa is very resistant to diseases. The main risk is rot if there is persistent excess moisture or poor drainage over winter. In humid temperate climates, improve soil drainage to prevent any problems.
Did you know?
Austrostipa scabra bears in its name the term 'scabra' which means 'rough' in Latin, referring to the particular texture of its leaves and finely fibrous spikelets. In Australia, this grass has long been a key element of semi-arid ecosystems and symbolizes resilience in the face of extreme conditions. Its supple, upright stems dance in the slightest breeze, creating undulating waves across the Australian landscape.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Tufted hair grassDeschampsia cespitosa
- Wavy hair-grassAvenella flexuosa
- Purple moor-grassMolinia caerulea
- Reed canary-grassPhalaris arundinacea
- Common quaking grassBriza media
- Creeping soft-grassHolcus mollis
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.