Deer grass Muhlenbergia rigens
Deer grass (Muhlenbergia rigens) is an evergreen perennial grass in the Poaceae family, native to California and the American South-west to central Mexico. It grows 90 cm–1.5 m (35 in–4.9 ft) tall and 90 cm–1.5 m (35 in–4.9 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -15 °C (5 °F). Space plants about 1 m (3.3 ft) apart.
Plan Deer grass in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Deer grass at a glance
| Type | Perennial grass, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Poaceae |
| Mature height | 90 cm–1.5 m (35 in–4.9 ft) |
| Mature spread | 90 cm–1.5 m (35 in–4.9 ft) |
| Spacing | 1 m (3.3 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 6–8.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -15 °C (5 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 7) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 42 °C (108 °F) |
| Flowering | from about June for 9–14 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | None |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | California and the American South-west to central Mexico |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇲🇽 Mexico |
Is Deer grass toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Deer grass
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Deer grass
- How far apart should I plant Deer grass?
- About 1 m (3.3 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 90 cm–1.5 m (35 in–4.9 ft).
- Does Deer grass need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Deer grass need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Deer grass?
- It tolerates about -15 °C (5 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 7.
- When does Deer grass flower?
- From about June for 9–14 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Deer grass poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not poisonous.
- What grows well with Deer grass?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Deer grass. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Calscape: California native plants, California Native Plant Society
- Native Plant Information Network, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, University of Texas at Austin
Notes and assumptions
- A California native of the chaparral and foothills: it grows through the mild, wet winter and rests in the dry summer, when it should be left unwatered once established.
- A big, fine-textured fountain of grey-green leaves with stiff, pencil-thin flower spikes in summer. California basket weavers tended stands by burning to harvest the straight flower stalks for coiled baskets.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Fountain grass Pennisetum alopecuroides
- Sweet corn Zea mays var. saccharata
- Lemongrass Cymbopogon citratus
- Clumping bamboo Fargesia murielae
- Maiden grass (miscanthus) Miscanthus sinensis
- Golden bamboo Phyllostachys aurea
- Switchgrass Panicum virgatum
- Little bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium