Midstorey

Browse plants / Poaceae

Weeping grass Microlaena stipoides

Also called Weeping rice-grass

Previously known as Ehrharta stipoides

When it flowers

Ehrharta stipoides (plant). Location: Maui, Waiakoa rd Kula
Ehrharta stipoides (plant). Location: Maui, Waiakoa rd Kula. Photo: Forest & Kim Starr, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A wee field of Weeping Grass, Microlaena stipoides. Royal National Park, NSW Australia, December 2011.
A wee field of Weeping Grass, Microlaena stipoides. Royal National Park, NSW Australia, December 2011.. Photo: John Tann from Sydney, Australia, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The shape of the arch is typical of Weeping Grass, Microlaena stipoides. Royal National Park, NSW Australia, December 2011.
The shape of the arch is typical of Weeping Grass, Microlaena stipoides. Royal National Park, NSW Australia, December 2011.. Photo: John Tann from Sydney, Australia, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

1 of 3

Soft, shade-tolerant native grass that can be mown as a low-water lawn.

One of the few native grasses that grows well in shade, and the basis of several native lawn turfs. Its soft, bright green leaves stay green through much of the year, and the fine seed heads droop at the tips.

In the garden

  • Banks and slopes
  • Under trees
  • Lawn alternative
Leaves
Soft, flat, bright green leaves.
Flowers
Fine, drooping seed heads in spring and summer.
Attracts
Butterflies and shelter for small wildlife

Growing conditions

Light
Full sun to full shade
Soil
Sandy, loam and clay
Drainage
Copes with occasional wet
Frost
Hard frost
Water
Some dry spells
Climate
Subtropical, temperate and cool and alpine

Planting and care

Grown from
Seed and division

Planting

Sun to shade. Plant tubes or plugs 20 cm apart, or lay as turf.

Pruning

Mow high (5 to 8 cm) as needed, or leave unmown under trees.

Care

Water through the first summer and in long dry spells. Takes light foot traffic.

Where it comes from

Family
Poaceae
Order
Poales
Native to
ACT, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia
Natural range
Forest and woodland across eastern and southern Australia.

Where to buy

Specialist native nurseries.

We don't have stockists listed for this plant yet. Local native nurseries are often the best place to ask.

Help improve this page

Spotted a mistake, or know something we don't? Everything is checked by a moderator before it goes live.

Suggest changes Add a photo Change history

Further reading

Native nurseries near you

Log in to have us remember it.

An independent list of nurseries that specialise in Australian native plants. Nobody pays to be on it. Distances are approximate and in a straight line. Opening hours and stock vary, so check before you go.