grassN. America Native

Ruby Muhly Grass

Muhlenbergia reverchonii

Not currently listed at our partner nurseries.

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Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Grass

Height

30 inches

Width

30 inches

Light

Full Sun

Zones

5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Water

Low

Humidity

Low to moderate

Lifespan

Long-lived perennial grass

Native To

Texas and Oklahoma

Toxicity

Non-toxic

The Story

Plant Bio

Muhlenbergia reverchonii is a tough, native perennial grass known for its fine-textured, wiry, blue-green foliage that forms a dense, vase-shaped clump. It is exceptionally heat and drought tolerant. Known as Ruby Muhly or Seep Muhly, this grass produces a stunning, airy cloud of ruby-pink to purplish flower panicles in late summer and fall. It is more cold-hardy and tolerant of heavier soils than its famous cousin, Pink Muhly (M. capillaris).

Bloom Period:

EarlyLate

Uses & Benefits:

Ruby Muhly provides superb texture with its fine foliage and creates a breathtaking, hazy effect when its ruby-pink inflorescences catch the autumn light. It offers four seasons of interest, with foliage in spring/summer, flowers in fall, and a tawny structure in winter.

Its deep root system makes it excellent for erosion control on dry, sunny slopes. Being extremely drought-tolerant, it is a key component in water-wise landscapes and xeriscaping, reducing the need for supplemental irrigation.

As a native grass, it provides cover and nesting material for wildlife. The seeds are a food source for small birds in the fall and winter. It also serves as a larval host plant for some skipper butterflies.

Marketplace

Where to Buy

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Planting

How to Grow

Select a site that receives sun all day.
Ensure the soil is very well-drained; amend with gravel if needed.
Dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball.
Position the plant so the crown is at or slightly above soil level.
Backfill with native soil, do not add rich compost.
Water to establish, then only during prolonged drought.

Pro Tip

Plant in full sun with sharp drainage for the best form and flowering; it thrives on neglect.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Provide full, direct sunlight for sturdy growth.
Plant in lean, well-drained soil.
Cut back old foliage in late winter before new growth emerges.
Allow it to self-sow modestly to create a naturalistic drift.

Don't

Don't plant in shade, which causes weak, floppy growth.
Avoid wet, boggy, or poorly drained soils.
Don't overwater once established.
Do not fertilize; it prefers poor soil.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Divide
Plant
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Soft-textured mass planting for slopesGraceful accent in rock or gravel gardensDrought-tolerant prairie and meadow designs

Companion Plants

Salvia greggii Echinacea paradoxa Liatris mucronata Bouteloua gracilis Callirhoe involucrata

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Ruby Muhly Grass questions

What zones can Ruby Muhly Grass grow in?

Ruby Muhly Grass is hardy in USDA Zones 5–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Ruby Muhly Grass deer resistant?

Yes — Ruby Muhly Grass is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Ruby Muhly Grass bloom?

Ruby Muhly Grass typically blooms in late summer through mid-fall. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Ruby Muhly Grass need full sun?

Ruby Muhly Grass does best in full sun (6+ hours).

Is Ruby Muhly Grass drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Ruby Muhly Grass handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.