Pink Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris)

Also known as: muhly grass

Quick Facts

• Type: grass
• Size: 3-4 ft tall
• Sun: full
• Water: low
• Soil: Sandy, well-drained soils
• USDA zones: 8-11

In fall the whole plant erupts in a haze of pink-purple seed heads that glow at sunrise.

Florida's most famous ornamental grass; cut back to 6 inches in late winter before spring growth.

In the Landscape

A showstopper in mass plantings where dozens bloom together, or as a single accent against evergreens. Works in borders, meadow edges, and parking-lot islands that bake all summer.

Care & Propagation

Plant in spring in full sun with good drainage. Cut the whole clump back to about 6 inches in late winter before spring growth begins. Needs no fertilizer and almost no water once established.

Divide established clumps in late winter or early spring before new growth starts. Fresh seed also germinates readily if sown on the surface in spring.

Wildlife Value

Dense clumps give ground-nesting birds and small mammals year-round cover. Finches and sparrows pick at the tiny seeds through fall and winter.

🌱 Fun fact: The famous pink cloud is not the flowers — it's thousands of hair-fine seed heads catching the light. At sunrise or sunset a whole field of muhly looks like it's glowing from within.

← Browse all Florida native plants

🌴 In Florida

Florida's most famous ornamental grass; cut back to 6 inches in late winter before spring growth.

🌿 Keep exploring

More Florida natives worth meeting:

• Broomsedge Bluestem (Andropogon virginicus)
• Bushy Bluestem (Andropogon glomeratus)
• Elliott's Lovegrass (Eragrostis elliottii)