Amrita

Angel hair

Stipa Tenuissima; Nassella tenuissima

• 
  Bright light
• 
  Easy care

• Amrita likes...
  • 
    A sunny spot

    She’ll grow best in full sun, but she’ll also do well in dappled shade. Just avoid very deep shade.

  • 
    Dry soil

    She’s pretty tolerant of forgetful waterers, but try to water her when the top two inches of soil feel dry.

  • 
    Haircuts

    Chop her back in late winter or early spring, when her leaves start to flop. She’ll grow back when the weather warms up.

• Quick facts

  Botanical name

  Stipa tenuissima

  Nickname

  Angel hair; Pony tail

  Plant type

  Outdoor evergreen

  Plant height (including pot)

  20-30cm

  Pet/Baby safe?

  Yes

  Nursery pot size

  17cm

• About Angel hair

  While its scientific name is Stipa tenuissima, this plant is more commonly known as angel hair or pony tail because of its long, fine leaves. It wafts and rustles softly in the breeze. It’s great for adding some texture to your outdoor planting and providing a bit of calming sound.

  It’s sometimes known as Mexican feather grass, because it’s native to Mexico, as well as southern parts of the United States, and because of the feathery look of its flowers.

  As it matures through the year, the leaves will change from green to a pale yellow-green. It’s semi-evergreen, which means it should grow all year, but it may suffer in severe frost. If the very cold weather does kill off some of its growth, no worries. Just chop off any affected parts and it will grow back again in spring.

  Did you know?

  This plant grows so vigorously in Australia that it’s classed as an invasive species and it’s illegal to sell it there