Common quaking grass
Briza media · Poaceae
📷 Carl Axel Magnus Lindman · Public domain
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant common quaking grass: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Scientific name
- Briza media
- Family
- Poaceae (grasses)
- Foliage
- Deciduous, light green
- Flowering
- May to June
- Adult size
- 60 cm tall
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (zones 3–9)
- Growth
- Moderate
- Origin
- Western and central Europe
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Hair grass spreads on its own through spontaneous seeding. No maintenance is needed once established, except controlling self-seeding if you don't want it to become too invasive.
The common mistake
Don't try to trim or divide an established grass: it doesn't need it and you risk stressing it unnecessarily.
The pro's trick
Leave the dead stems in place all winter: they're very ornamental when frosted and protect the heart of the clump.
Care
Exposure
Quaking grass prefers full sun or partial shade. It tolerates sunny positions well, which encourage denser flowering and more compact growth. Partial shade also works, though it may slightly reduce vigor.
Watering
This grass requires moderate, regular watering, especially during establishment. Once well established, it tolerates dry spells thanks to its developed root system. Avoid persistent excess moisture, which can cause root rot.
Soil
Quaking grass adapts to most well-drained soils, from chalky to slightly acidic. It prefers fertile soil but tolerates poor ground. Good drainage is essential, especially in winter or humid climates.
Pruning and cutting
Cut the clump back to ground level in early spring (March–April) before new growth appears. You can remove dry flower heads in late autumn for aesthetic reasons, or leave them in place all winter for ornamental interest. No summer pruning is needed.
Fertilizer
A balanced fertilizer application in spring is more than enough. Ornamental grasses like quaking grass are not heavy feeders. Well-incorporated compost at planting time usually provides sufficient nutrients for several seasons.
Diseases and pests
Quaking grass is very resistant to diseases and pests. Good air circulation limits fungal risks in humid climates. No specific treatment is usually necessary if drainage is correct.
Did you know?
Quaking grass owes its French name to the delicate, undulating movement of its spikelets in the breeze: this graceful dance has inspired poets and botanists for centuries. In English, it's called 'Quaking Grass,' alluding to the same aerial ballet that fascinates gardeners seeking lightness and movement in the garden.
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
- Creeping soft-grassHolcus mollis
- Rough reedgrassCalamagrostis arundinacea
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.