Kurapia: Promising Desert Lawn Substitute
If you’re looking for an environmentally friendly lawn substitute, check out Karupia. This patented evergreen ground cover thrives in desert heat and sun, and uses less water than grass. Mowing … Read more
Desert Grasses
Ornamental grasses make an outstanding addition to any desert landscape. They add movement, softness, and year round visual interest. They attract birds and butterflies, use little water, and require minimal care.
We’ve also included a few “grass-like” plants here. These plants are not technically grasses but look similar and are equally attractive, resilient, and versatile. We don’t want you to miss out on any of these wonderful landscape plants just because they aren’t true grasses.
Here at Southwest Gardener, you’ll find in-depth information to help you choose and care for the best grasses and grass-like plants for your desert garden.
Blue Grama: Delightful, Versatile Grass
Blue grama is a charming, compact grass with unique seed heads. While it’s usually grown as an ornamental grass, it can also be grown as a low traffic lawn. Learn … Read more
Purple Muhly: Graceful Native Grass
Purple muhly is an ornamental grass related to the more common pink muhly. While not showy, it is lovely in an understated way and deserves a place in desert gardens. … Read more
Pink Flamingo Muhly: Cloud-Like Plumes
Pink flamingo muhly is a hybrid cross of a Texas native that thrives in the southwest. When in bloom, its pink plumes are so fluffy they’ve been described as looking … Read more
Bear Grass: Big & Bold (but not a “grass”)
Bear grass is a big, bold grass-like succulent that makes a statement in any garden. It’s as tough as it is beautiful. Here’s everything you need to know about planting … Read more
Bamboo Muhly: Bamboo-Like Native Grass
Bamboo muhly looks like a small, lacy bamboo, but this elegant plant is actually a desert-hardy ornamental grass. Here’s how to grow and care for this unusual Arizona native. Bamboo … Read more
Sideoats Grama: Compact, Hardy Native Grass
Sideoats grama is an underused ornamental grass that makes a graceful, understated landscape plant. It’s extremely low-maintenance and attracts birds and butterflies. Here’s how to grow this native grass. Unlike … Read more
Big Muhly: Dramatic Texas Native
Big muhly is an aptly named ornamental grass. This dramatic member of the muhly grasses can make a big statement in desert landscapes. Here’s how to grow and care for … Read more
Bull Grass: Top Performing Ornamental
Bull grass is a top-performing, but little-known, ornamental grass with a bevy of attributes. It’s compact, has a long bloom season, is nearly maintenance-free, and doesn’t need to be divided. … Read more
Purple Fountain Grass: Sterile or Invasive?
It’s a well-established fact that fountain grass is invasive in the desert southwest. Purple fountain grass is often recommended as a “sterile” alternative that can be planted safely instead. But … Read more
Mexican Feather Grass: Delicate but Aggressive
Mexican feather grass is an unusually delicate, airy desert plant, but don’t let its appearance fool you. It’s surprisingly tough and reseeds aggressively. Here’s how to grow this Central US … Read more
Deer Grass: Outstanding Native Ornamental
Deer grass is a southwest native that makes an outstanding landscape plant. Once established, it can survive with no irrigation. Here’s how to grow this resilient ornamental grass. Deer grass … Read more