Muhlenbergia capillaris
 
Common Names Pink Muhly Grass, Hairawn Muhly, Gulf Muhly
 
Zones 5–10
 
A showstopping native grass of the southeastern U.S., Muhlenbergia capillaris is prized for its airy pink-purple plumes that float above fine-textured foliage in fall. Found naturally in pine flatwoods, coastal prairies, and rocky uplands, it thrives in poor soils and harsh conditions. Its clumping habit, drought tolerance, and seasonal drama make it ideal for mass plantings, restoration buffers, and low-maintenance ornamental beds.
 
Key Features
Growth Habit: Clumping warm-season perennial grass; upright and arching
Height: Typically 2–4 ft (0.6–1.2 m); flower stalks may reach 5 ft
Leaves: Narrow, wiry, dark green; 18–36 in long; turn coppery in fall
Bark: Herbaceous stems; no woody structure
Flowers: Airy panicles; pink to purplish-red; bloom in fall; mature bottom-up
Fruit: Tiny oblong seeds; tan to brown; dispersed by wind
Ecology: Attracts beneficial insects including lady beetles and native pollinators; provides cover for small wildlife; fire-adapted
 
Growing Conditions
Light: Full sun preferred; tolerates light shade
Watering: Low once established; drought tolerant
Soil: Sandy, loamy, clay, or rocky; well-drained; tolerates poor soils
Temperature: Hardy to –25°F (–32°C); suitable for temperate and subtropical zones
Humidity: High tolerance; thrives in dry to humid climates
Propagation: Seed or division
Tolerance: Heat, drought, salt spray, poor soils, fire
 
Landscape Use Ideal for mass plantings, meadow gardens, and restoration zones. Use as a seasonal accent or backdrop in native beds. Pairs well with Solidago odora, Eryngium yuccifolium, and Helianthus debilis.