Wavy Hair Grass

Light Needs

Partial Shade to Full Sun

(At Least 4 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

12-18 Inches

Mature Spread

12-18 Inches

Growing Zones

4 to 9

Wavy Hair Grass (Deschampsia flexuosa) is one of the rare ornamental grasses that actually thrives in dry shade. It forms a low, tight clump of fine, dark green foliage, then sends up airy, silvery flower stalks that hover above the plant for a soft, misty effect. Expect it to reach about 2–3 feet tall in bloom with a 1–2 foot spread, staying clumping rather than running. Our favorite use is massing it to “stitch” together woodland edges and shady transitions that usually end up as mulch.

Because it’s a cool-season grass, Wavy Hair Grass looks fresh early and stays composed through much of the year, often holding some green even into winter in milder areas. The summer panicles (typically July–August) shift from silvery to warm gold as they mature, offering a long stretch of interest even after peak bloom. It’s notably tolerant of lean soils and short dry spells once established. 

Wavy Hair Grass is deer and rabbit resistant enough to be reliable in pressure areas. Birds will pick at the seed heads in autumn, and the dense clumps provide small-scale habitat in naturalized plantings. Use it as a lawn alternative in tough shade, on slopes where soil needs holding, or in repeating drifts to bring movement into otherwise static shade beds.

Wavy Hair Grass Care

Grow it in part shade to shade, ideally with morning light and protection from hot afternoon sun. It’s adaptable, but it’s happiest in well-drained soil that stays on the dry-to-average side; in heavy or consistently wet ground, the crown can struggle. Plant in slightly acidic to neutral soil, and improve planting pockets with compost to help roots establish.

Water regularly the first season, then back off. Provide a deep soak when the clump keeps its color but the top few inches of soil are dusty dry. Fertilizer is rarely needed, but if growth looks weak, a light top-dress of compost in spring can be beneficial.

Give it a “haircut” in late winter or very early spring by cutting old foliage back before new shoots appear. You can remove flower stalks in fall for a tidier look, or leave them up for winter texture and bird activity, and clean up in late winter. If seedlings show up where you don’t want them, pull them young while the soil is soft.

Wavy Hair Grass Spacing

Space plants about 12–24 inches apart depending on whether you want quick ground coverage or more distinct clumps. In a container, use a pot at least 14–16 inches wide so the root zone doesn’t dry out too fast under tree canopies. In the landscape, thread it between ferns and coral bells to layer fine, medium, and bold texture in shade. For containers, mix with begonias for a bright floral note and let lamium trail at the rim for a dense, weed-smothering finish.

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