Also known as Hair Grass · 301 gardener saves
Deschampsia: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Deschampsia, the genus most gardeners know as hair grass. We track 3 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 3 most-saved Deschampsia varieties
Of 3 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedTufted Hairgrass
Deschampsia cespitosa
#2 most savedNorthern Lights Tufted Hairgrass
Deschampsia cespitosa 'Northern Lights'
#3 most savedWavy Hair Grass
Deschampsia flexuosa
How to grow Deschampsia
What the Deschampsia varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 3 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Deschampsia year
- DivideFebruary and March100% of varieties
Divide large clumps every 3-5 years to maintain vigor
- MulchMarch67% of varieties
Apply a light layer of mulch to conserve moisture
- PlantMarch and September67% of varieties
Plant or transplant in early spring or early fall
- Spring CleanupFebruary67% of varieties
Cut old foliage back to 3 inches before new growth starts
Do
- Prune dead or damaged foliage in late winter
- Mulch to conserve moisture and regulate soil temperature
- Water regularly during dry spells 🌱
- Fertilize annually with a balanced fertilizer
- Water regularly to keep soil moist but not waterlogged 🌱
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Don’t cut back in late fall—wait until early spring
- Never plant in poorly drained soil
- Avoid excessive fertilizing which can cause floppy growth
What goes wrong with Deschampsia
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Rust | Orange pustules on leaves | Apply copper-based fungicide and improve air circulation |
| Fungal leaf spot | Dark, irregular spots on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply organic fungicide |
Making more Deschampsia
Division
- Divide clumps in early spring or fall, taking 3-4 shoots each, and replant immediately.
Seed
- Sow seeds on surface in spring, lightly press into soil, and keep moist for germination, approximately 2-3 weeks.
Deschampsia questions
How many types of Deschampsia are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 3 distinct Deschampsia varieties. The most popular — ranked by 301 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Deschampsia grow in?
Across its varieties, Deschampsia covers USDA Zones 4–9. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Deschampsia bloom?
Most Deschampsia varieties bloom in late summer, summer, late spring to early summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Deschampsia should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Deschampsia shows up in
Design with Deschampsia in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
