Also known as Feather Grass · 162 gardener saves
Stipa: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Stipa, the genus most gardeners know as feather grass. We track 7 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 7 most-saved Stipa varieties
Of 7 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedSilver Spear Grass
Stipa calamagrostis
#2 most savedMexican Feather Grass
Stipa tenuissima
#3 most savedSilver Feather Grass
Stipa barbata
Purple Needlegrass
Stipa pulchra
Giant Feather Grass
Stipa gigantea
Nodding Needlegrass
Stipa cernua
Mexican Feather Grass
Stipa tenuissima 'Ponytails'
How to grow Stipa
What the Stipa varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 7 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Stipa year
- DivideMarch and April86% of varieties
Divide clumps in spring if they become overcrowded.
- PruneJanuary and February57% of varieties
Cut back old foliage to a few inches from the ground in late winter.
- Spring CleanupFebruary43% of varieties
Comb through with gloved hands to remove dead leaves; do not cut back.
Do
- Water deeply during dry spells 🌱
- Prune dead or damaged foliage in late winter
- Water sparingly once established 💧
- Fertilize in early spring with a balanced slow-release fertilizer
- Mulch to retain soil moisture and prevent weeds
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering, which can cause root rot ❌
- Don’t fertilize excessively, as it may reduce drought tolerance
- Refrain from disturbing roots during peak growing season
- Don’t prune in late fall, wait until late winter
What goes wrong with Stipa
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue on leaves, distorted growth | Use insecticidal soap or introduce ladybugs |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing, speckled or yellowed foliage | Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap |
| Rust | Orange or brown pustules on leaves | Apply fungicide and improve air circulation |
| Fungal rust | Orange or brown pustules on leaves | Apply organic fungicide and improve air circulation |
| Root rot | Wilting, blackened roots | Reduce watering, improve drainage |
Making more Stipa
Division
- Dig up mature clumps in early spring.
- Divide into smaller sections with roots attached.
- Replant immediately at same depth.
Seed
- Tuck seeds into moist soil in early spring.
- Keep soil consistently moist for 2 weeks.
- Germination occurs in 2-3 weeks.
Stipa questions
How many types of Stipa are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 7 distinct Stipa varieties. The most popular — ranked by 162 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Stipa grow in?
Across its varieties, Stipa covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Stipa bloom?
Most Stipa varieties bloom in early summer, late spring, summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Stipa 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
Design with Stipa 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.
