perennial

Grass Tree

The Story

Plant Bio

Xanthorrhoea preissii is a slow-growing, arborescent perennial native to Southwest Western Australia, characterized by a thick, resinous trunk topped by a dense, spherical crown of rigid, grass-like leaves. It exists as a trunkless basal rosette for several decades before slowly developing an above-ground trunk that grows only one to three centimeters annually.

The blue-green to dark green leaves are stiff and linear, radiating outward to form a highly architectural silhouette. In spring and summer, mature specimens produce a massive, rigid vertical spear topped by a long, cylindrical flowering spike covered in small, creamy-white flowers.

Uses & Benefits:

Provides a dramatic, highly architectural focal point with its spherical crown and black trunk.

Highly drought-tolerant once established, making it ideal for low-water landscaping.

Flowers attract generalist insect pollinators like bees during the blooming season.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Perennial

Height

196"

Width

94"

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

9, 10

Water

Low

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Centuries

Native To

Southwest Western Australia

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Bloom period

Spring – Summer

In flower about 6 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting site with full sun and exceptionally well-drained, sandy or gravelly soil.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the container but no deeper, ensuring the plant sits at the exact same soil level as it did in the pot.
Carefully slide the plant from its container, taking extreme care not to disturb or damage the sensitive root system.
Backfill with native soil, water thoroughly to settle, and avoid applying any standard high-phosphorus fertilizers.

Pro Tip

Never cut into the green crown or prune the trunk, as this species possesses a single dominant apical meristem and any damage to this growing point is fatal.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Provide exceptional soil drainage to prevent root rot.
Wear thick gloves when handling the plant to avoid cuts from the sharp leaf margins.
Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings once the plant is established.

Don't

Do not apply standard high-phosphorus garden fertilizers.
Do not prune into the green leafy head or cut the trunk.
Do not overwater or plant in heavy, poorly drained clay soils.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Fertilize
Pest Check
Prune
Winter Prep

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Specimen PlantArchitectural GardenDry GardenContainer Planting

Companion Plants

Yucca rostrata Dasylirion wheeleri Agave parryi

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Grass Tree questions

What zones can Grass Tree grow in?

Grass Tree is hardy in USDA Zones 9–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

When does Grass Tree bloom?

Grass Tree typically blooms in spring through summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Grass Tree need full sun?

Grass Tree does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Grass Tree drought tolerant?

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