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 (Muhlenbergia rigens) is a southwest native that’s widely considered the region’s most spectacular ornamental grass.
It grows in clumps of narrow bright green leaves that give a cooling effect and softens the harshness of boulders, cactus, and other spiky plants. And in the fall, it sends up elegantly arched 5-foot seed stalks covered in creamy white flowers.
This grass is as tough as it is beautiful. In its native habitat, it can survive on as little as 4″ of annual rainfall.
Deer grass is a boon to wildlife. Birds and small mammals eat its seeds, and use the foliage to build nests and provide shelter. It is a host plant for many species of butterflies and moths.
This grass is most effective when planted in drifts, but also makes an arresting specimen plant if you only have room for one.
Why I Like This Plant
- Beautiful cream plumes
- Low water use and low maintenance
- Attracts birds and butterflies
- No thorns, non-toxic
Deer grass usually lives 15 years. This makes it a good alternative for its showier cousin, pink muhly grass, which needs to be divided or replaced every 4 years or so.
Optimal Growing Conditions
If you’re thinking of adding deer grass to your garden, you need to find a suitable place that will keep your plant healthy and looking good… while minimizing maintenance for you.
Here are the key factors to keep in mind.
Temperature
Deer grass should be grown in USDA Hardiness Zones 6 – 11. It is cold-hardy down to around 0°F and easily handles extreme heat.
Sun Exposure
Deer grass performs best in full sun but tolerates part shade or the reflected heat from buildings and walls.
Size and Growth Rate
Deer grass is a fast grower that reaches a size of 4 feet tall and wide, usually within the first two years. Be sure to give this plant plenty of room so that it can reach its full potential when its plumes burst forth in the fall.
Soil
Deer grass is not fussy and grows in sandy, rocky, or clay soil, provided it’s well-draining. As a southwest native, it prefers alkaline soil.
Other Location Considerations
Because it has no thorns and produces minimal litter, it’s a plant you can feel comfortable placing near a pool or sidewalk, or anywhere it might come in contact with pets and people. (The only time it’s messy is when it’s time to prune.) The wispy inflorescences are not spiky, irritating, or toxic.
Deer Grass:
The Essentials
| Common Name | Deer grass |
| Scientific Name | Muhlenbergia rigens |
| Origin | Southwest US |
| Plant Type | Bunch grass |
| USDA Zones | Zones 6 – 11 |
| Cold Hardy | To 0℉ |
| Flower Color | Cream |
| Flower Season | Fall |
| Mature Size | 4’ high x 4’ wide |
| Growth Rate | Fast |
| Sun Tolerance | Full, part, or reflected sun |
| Water Needs | Low |
| Pests & Diseases | None |
| Garden Friendly | No thorns, non-toxic, not invasive |
| Wildlife | Attracts birds, butterflies Deer resistant |
How to Plant
The rule of thumb when planting any ornamental grass is to dig a hole three times as wide as the root ball but no deeper. Amending the soil is not recommended. Counterintuitively, backfilling with the same native soil you just dug up helps your plant develop a stronger root system.
When to Plant
The best time to plant deer grass is in the fall. This gives your grass three seasons to grow roots and get established before the following summer.
The second best time is in spring, the earlier the better. This still gives your plant time to get established before the intense heat of June arrives.
How to Care for Deer Grass
Whether you’ve recently planted deer grass or have an existing plant in your yard, here’s how to take care of it to keep it healthy and looking its best.
How to Water New Plants
As a southwest native, deer grass needs very little water once established, but it does need regular watering after being planted.
Here is the recommended watering schedule for new ornamental grasses.
| Weeks 1 & 2 | Every 3 – 4 days |
| Weeks 3 & 4 | Every 6 – 7 days |
| Weeks 5 & 6 | Every 7 – 10 days |
| Weeks 7 & 8 | Every 10 – 14 days |
How to Water Established Plants
Once your deer grass is established, water it deeply every few weeks during the summer. These plants can actually survive with no supplemental water, but they’ll look their best with occasional watering during the summer.
Since plants go dormant in the winter, they only need water once a month, which is typically provided by winter rains.
Should You Fertilize?
There is no need to fertilize deer grass since it gets all the nutrients it needs from native soil.
How to Prune
Deer grass should be pruned hard once in late winter or early spring. Cut it down to 3 – 4 inches above the ground.
You can cut it straight across, but slightly irregular cuts look more natural and mimic the grazing that would occur when growing in grasslands. This lets light penetrate the crown and makes way for new spring growth.
Here’s what happens if you prune them like small shrubs.
Sadly, so-called landscapers (i.e., plant butchers) did this to hundreds of ornamental muhly grasses in my community last year. The plants never recovered because the new growth couldn’t push through. They used to be beautiful.🥹
Pro Tip!
Tightly tie the dried leaves and flower stalks
with string or duct tape before cutting.
This makes clean-up much easier.
Plant Lover Facts
Deer grass (Muhlenbergia rigens) has a few alternative common names including deergrass, meadow muhly, and deer muhly.
With the name deer grass, you might assume that deer like to eat it, but the opposite is true — it’s considered “highly resistant” to deer. It’s believed to be named deer grass because deer like to lie on it.
The Native Americans had many uses for deer grass. They ate the seeds and used the seed stalks to weave baskets. It’s thought that they managed its growth with fire, extending its natural range.
The genus, Muhlenbergia, was named after the German botanist Gotthilf Muhlenberg, who is credited with classifying and naming at least 150 plant species.
Muhlenbergia is a genus of 175 grasses, mostly native to the desert southwest. But only a handful are used as landscape plants.
Have you grown this plant?
Was it a “hit” or a “miss” in your garden?
Please share your experience in the comments below!
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Author Bio
Deane Alban is the creator of Southwest Gardener. She is a science writer with a bachelor’s degree in botany from the University of South Florida. Gardening is her lifelong passion. She’s been gardening in Tucson for 15 years.
