Muhlenbergia lindheimeri is a 2-5 ft. perennial bunchgrass with fine foliage and a fountain-like form. Blue-green leaves and lacy autumn panicles grace Texas uplands. The foliage persists through the winter, though most of it will be dormant. Not necessary to cut back during the cold months; if you do, it may be slow to recover. To keep tidy looking, break off old flower stalks when they become brittle and comb the plant with a leaf rake to remove dead leaves.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Often confused withMuhlenbergia 'Pink Flamingos'
Fills a similar nicheCalyptocarpus vialisMiscanthus sinensis 'Morning Light'x Heucherella
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Life cycle
Perennial
USDA zones
6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt)
Soil pH
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
Mature size
Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in. | Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping; Erect
Texture
Fine
Foliage
Semi-evergreen
Leaf color
Blue; Cream/Tan; Gray/Silver; Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Linear
Leaf size
< 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Flower color
Gray/Silver; Purple/Lavender
Flower value
Long-lasting; Showy
Flower form
Panicle
Flower detail
Light purplish-grey in fall; long-lasting
Bloom time
Fall; Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Gray/Silver; White
Fruit type
Caryopsis
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
SW U.S.A.
Distribution
Limestone uplands near streams. On limestone outcrops, often close by small streams. Well-drained sand, loam, clay, limestone in Texas to northern Mexico
Wildlife value
Fair to good forage for livestock and wildlife. Leaves provide nesting material for birds.