Pink Muhly Grass - How to Grow and Care for Muhlenbergia capillaris / Gulf Muhly

Pink Muhly Grass is one of the most beautiful ornamental grasses that is Native to North America. In this video I show you how to grow and care for Pink Muhly Grass. I show all stages of the life cycle, from germinating the seed to how it looks throughout the growing season.
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This video can give you some ideas as to how you can grow and use Gulf Muhly Grass in your own garden/flower bed and yard. Depending on how the light hits it, this plant can look like pink grass or purple grass. Enjoy!
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[@mikelikesmee]

Thank you for showing the year-round look! LOVE this grass

[@growitbuildit]

You are very welcome! Glad you found it helpful!

[@krystala.5890]

We just bought our first house and this is going to look so beautiful in our yard. Thank you for the video and information!

[@growitbuildit]

You are welcome Krystal - you will love this grass. It makes the best Autumn display!

[@PerpetuallyEthereal]

I’ve seen it in big box stores and nurseries here in Dallas. I have two. They’re beautiful when most plants are winding down.

[@growitbuildit]

Really? I've never come across it in stores or nurseries in PA/MD. That is cool that you can get it easily.

[@PerpetuallyEthereal]

Growit Buildit I was really excited. I bought them last Fall and even had a 30% off coupon. Score!!! ☺️

[@austintrousdale2397]

Same here (Charleston, SC area)

[@Pianohobbyist]

so pretty!!! I saw this grass other youtube and I LOVE it so i searched this beautiful flower up and watched your video! I live middle of us but i didnt see them anywhere...hmm.. I will look it up and really want to plant them in my garden too!! Thank you for the video!!

[@growitbuildit]

You are very welcome Stella - I'm glad I could help you out!

[@lyndabrown3402]

It's all over the place where I live in Florida. It's so beautiful!

[@growitbuildit]

Couldn't agree more Lynda

[@pumpkinspicedragon7450]

🌞So beautiful and helpful! Just got 4 from a plant nursery recently- looking forward to seeing that fall display

[@growitbuildit]

You won't regret it! It is beautiful.

[@giovillalta]

Very very informative and lots of stages during the year

[@growitbuildit]

Thank you very much sir! I'm glad you found it helpful!

[@veronicadare9047]

Just got some in! I cannot wait to plant these!!

[@growitbuildit]

They are beautiful grasses Veronica - you will love them.

[@meganmacdonald3730]

Such a beautiful grass! Looking forward to adding this to my front yard.

[@growitbuildit]

It is a great accent or Autumn decor focal point. I'm glad you found my video helpful.

[@freebird1800]

I ordered this grass online and it came in sort of a clump I think is a bareroot so I looked for a video to guide me on how to plant it. After watching your video I'm sure I made the right choice, thank you!

[@freebird1800]

I hope it does good in my area, Southern California close to the desert, temperatures as high as 110

[@growitbuildit]

Just make sure it doesn't completely dry out Adela - but you should be good!

[@birdhousegarden]

I planted 7 of these in my Mom's front landscape. We are zone 9 and they receive full sun. Looking forward to their Fall color.

[@growitbuildit]

Sounds like it will make an excellent display! I had around 6-9 in my video.

[@nr6949]

Did these survive in zone 9? I’m in Corpus Christi and would love to plant some here in zone 9! 😬

[@birdhousegarden]

@@nr6949 Yes, they do. They look beautiful right now. :)

[@nr6949]

@@birdhousegarden that’s great to know and thank you for responding! 😊 May I ask if you started yours from seeds?

[@birdhousegarden]

@@nr6949 We did not start from seed. We planted them early spring 2020. They were small plants, and the nursery had just pruned them down to 4-5 inches. If possible, check out our instagram. I posted a photo from October 2020. :)

[@awebb470]

Hi pink muhly grass is fantastic and a good video ❤❤❤

[@growitbuildit]

I love our Muhly Grass. And thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed our video.

[@Dessyluvs]

This is a great detail video, I bought three on clearance at Lowe’s

[@growitbuildit]

That is awesome you were able to find Muhly Grass at a garden center. I've never seen it for sale. And thank you, I'm happy that you liked the video!

[@austintrousdale2397]

@@growitbuildit "Pink Muhly," Muhlenbergia capillaris, been stocked this past year at two Lowe's here in Summerville, SC. In neighboring Charleston County, Pink Muhly is planted beside roads and in road medians, as well as parks, business campuses, and residential properties. I'm an advocate for this native (more or less) ornamental grass, which makes for attractive color and comforting texture in the landscape. It's a cousin to Muhlenbergia sericea or M. filipes, popularly known as sweetgrass, long celebrated for its use in basket weaving. Sweetgrass is/was the coastal variety, being adapted to very sandy conditions and even a bit salt-tolerant, whereas Pink Muhly being more of a generalist is my impression.

[@growitbuildit]

Thank you for that info Austin. I have seen it one time in PA - and it was just a couple weeks ago. Someone had a few plants at their mail box. I just happen to see it while driving. Otherwise, it is basically unknown. I also don't recall seeing it hiking ever, although it is listed as native to the State. But perhaps it is closer to PHL or more towards MD. But I do believe that it is just about the most beautiful grass I've seen.

[@MariMari-vq8hl]

I grabbed the only 3 containers at Lowe’s recently- I was shocked no one bought them as I have been waiting to get my hands on these and the size and price were great! Hoping they survive as I was formerly zone 5b but now classified as zone 6a. I was pleasantly surprised that my sky pencil Hollys and Carex Amazon Mist Sedge, (New Zealand Hair Sedge) all survived as the plant tags the time said they were both non hardy in zone 5! I did buy a purple fountain grass marked as hardy zone 5 years ago but it didn’t survive 😂

[@growitbuildit]

I think you will probably be fine in zone 5b - just give it a heavy leaf mulch around the base in the fall. And good find - I don't see it sold that often.

[@farstrider79]

Giving this a try this year......hipe it looks cool!

[@growitbuildit]

Excellent - you're going to love this grass.

[@JBlackrose]

Thanks for sharing the vid. I bought two pots of Muhly at a Walmart Garden Center in Myrtle Beach SC. I have looked elsewhere like lowes and home depot and have not found them there

[@growitbuildit]

You are very welcome - they are beautiful grasses.

[@stscc2009]

Beautiful! It reminds me of Purple Love Grass which grows in our fields. It is beautiful in the fall. I think this is taller. I would love to add some into my landscape.

[@growitbuildit]

I will be adding a lot more of this in our backyard prairie next year. It is an awesome grass to have.

[@fabianaparedes124]

great video! thank you

[@growitbuildit]

You are very welcome - I'm glad you enjoyed it

[@michelesimpson2237]

Good to know thank you, just got some today.

[@growitbuildit]

You are welcome Michele

[@jeanbailey3223]

Thanks! I mixed lots of things like soil amenders, perlite, rich soil into the clay of Upstate SC to get healthy, beautiful pink muhly. One thing I think people may make a mistake on is to neglect watering it liberally or often enough in the first year or two. Am planting in central gulf coast FL now-sand, sand, sand. We’ll see.

[@growitbuildit]

Hi Jean - you should be good! It likes well drained soil. But if you want to give it its' own 'reservoir', just put some shredded black and white newspaper and compost in the bottom of the hole. It will hold water better than the sand.

[@quenombrehayquep]

Very nice video, thank you, I just buy three pkants and I don't know how to take care of it.

[@growitbuildit]

You are very welcome - good luck!

[@shamimamondal3811]

I do like Muhly grass . They come with Pink , Purple & Golden . I do always take pictures . And ! When they dance with wind I do video 📹 & sing . 🌾

[@growitbuildit]

Exactly - just about the prettiest grass there is

[@gwen_kingdomdaughter24]

I just planted 4 in front of my house 💜

[@growitbuildit]

You're going to love them Gwen

[@lue810]

Thank you. I just got some seeds. Planting them soon even though it’s may here in ny

[@growitbuildit]

Plant away Laurie! Good luck!

[@lue810]

@@growitbuildit I went to go plant the seeds in some plastic flower containers. Omg they are so tiny. You can barely see them. They were about $7 for 50 of them. I’m thinking of ordering more. Do you know where I could find them besides ordering them off Amazon?

[@growitbuildit]

They are really hard to find. Outside Pride carries them. And Roundstone seed has had them in the past.

[@lue810]

@@growitbuildit hey I was wondering if you might be able to send me some seeds in the mail? I know it’s probably hard to sort them from the dried stems but if you could send me the stems that would be cool. I don’t mind paying for them. I tried growing it this year but it didn’t take off. They don’t sell it around here either.

[@richardwhite3521]

If you say “I don’t know, it just looks really cool” one more time...😂

[@giovillalta]

Lol

[@Toototabon.Toototabon]

Thanks mate. You solved one problem for me- will it rake real cold. Im up the bush in Victoria Australia, so we get cold. I still have to find out if it will take the dry heat. Great intro to the stuff. I want that misty colour it creates in my garden. Thanks heaps

[@growitbuildit]

You're welcome - they often grow in sandy soil out in the wild. So you might be alright. Seeds aren't expensive, so that would probably be the way to go.

[@debbieneve87]

Good presentation

[@growitbuildit]

Thank you Debbie! I do love my Muhly grass.

[@ksero1000]

So beautiful.

[@growitbuildit]

It is gorgeous grass Rose.

[@avssify]

Sweet video man. If I wasn't convinced by those general photos, that snow and rain effect would do it. How much seed is needed to get a "clump"?

[@growitbuildit]

Hi KC, thanks! I'm glad you liked the video. To answer your question, one seed will make one plant....and then a clump. Each of those plants came from a single seed. I just plant 5-10 seeds per pot, then thin them out as they get bigger.

[@avssify]

@@growitbuildit damn, that's nice. Should I drop the seeds right into the soil when they germinate or better grow them in a pot first?

[@growitbuildit]

It depends. If you have a big area, or want a wild area maybe just scatter them. But if you are trying to get a more 'designed' look, I would grow them in pots. I generally grow mine in pots, as I know they are a bit more protected from the birds, etc. Just remember, the first year they won't be 'that' big. Since they are starting from one lowly blade of grass. But the second year they will be much more full and attractive.

[@avssify]

@@growitbuildit thanks for the details! I'll bother you with one more. Do you prune them down every winter?

[@growitbuildit]

No problem. I generally prune them down in the Spring once everything starts coming to life. I like leaving the grass up so it isn't barren mulch over the winter.

[@gerryfelix5948]

Can you plant these seeds in the late summer/fall, or best to wait til spring? I appreciate all of your timely responses and helpful videos.

[@growitbuildit]

Hi Gerry - I would wait until Spring. Or you could just grow it in a large pot and plant it in Autumn, once it goes dormant. It will come back in the Spring.

[@gerryfelix5948]

@@growitbuildit thx, Joe: I’ll wait until spring for the grasses. In the meantime I’ve got some in the fridge for stratification in hopes of getting them out into the ground this fall.

[@tinawalker5335]

I planted some in my far yard in the winter and it is fine now that it is spring but I do live in Florida

[@frenchweewee4444]

When does it start to bloom? Mine started in August last year. It still hasn't bloomed yet. It really is beautiful in bloom.

[@growitbuildit]

Hi - I'm in zone 6 in Pennsylvania. Mine start to bloom in early October and will continue blooming through Thanksgiving. Weather conditions could change this, but for me, it is too early.

[@NicoleL-hl6vl]

Beautiful! How long did it take to go from seeds to what you are showing in the video?

[@growitbuildit]

Hi Nicole - In year 2 you should have a 'clump' of grass 2-6" diameter, and by year 3 you should have full grasses with nice blooms.

[@yomamab2002]

I want to plant 20-30 plants of this in our front yard where we see the ground is sinking in a long line probably from when the sewer line was put in at least ten years ago. I want to put two probably two rolls of landscape fabric and then bark mulch on top of that. I'll use peat moss and potting mix in the spot where I plant each muhly grass. Being that this long muhly grass bed would be in the front yard with lawn grass all around it, would I have a possible problem with lawn grass creeping into the muhly grass area? I'd hate for the lovely, pristine looks of the muhly grass be spoiled by tall green grass (we also have crabgrass). I don't the effect would be the same with green mixed in with the pink. What do you think?

[@growitbuildit]

Hi - I would suggest that you either place a barrier around the area, a small trench (2" deep x wide), or plant your grass dense enough so that no sunlight can penetrate. It will take some weeding no matter what, but this will help keep out grass from creeping in via rhizomes.

[@yomamab2002]

@@growitbuildit I also think that it would be best if I put some type of barrier in the front yard between the lawn grass and the muhly grass so the lawn grass doesn't end up trying to take over the muhly grass area. I just think it would look nicer if it were muhly grass only. Thank you for the reply.

[@dennisokeefe8468]

Really cool video! ; ) - We have a ton of oak leaves in the fall. Can i mow over this kind of grass in the fall to cut it back (and pick up the majority of leaves)? Thx

[@growitbuildit]

Yes you can Dennis - just wait until it is tan or golden brown. Then it is dormant.

[@RCALivingStereo]

When do these bloom out? Mike are pretty big, planted this year but not pink yet We are near Maine

[@growitbuildit]

Hi - usually somewhere between Aug-Oct. For me in zone 6, if often have them blooming in late Sep until Nov.

[@RCALivingStereo]

@@growitbuildit Ok thanks I’m very tall like 5 feet or so but just green still I’m hopeful we get some color this year Thanks for your help

[@growitbuildit]

@@RCALivingStereo 5'? That doesn't sound right. Mine never get more than 3' (and that is being generous). Are you sure it is this species? Muhlenbergia capillaris? You might want to download PictureThis and see what it thinks it is. Plant ID apps aren't the greatest at grasses, but if you get a clear shot at the flowerhead part or leaf/stem junction it could probably at least confirm or suggest some possible alternatives.

[@andrewsandilands8974]

I planted 2 of these in containers on my balcony 2 years ago. Last year I had my first flower spikes, but they were short and small. I’m hoping I get a better display as the clump matures. One question I wanted to ask, it’s now late March and I’m thinking of cutting it back. There are quite a lot of brown leaves, but maybe half are still green. It’s too fiddly to remove just the dead leaves, as I do with some other grasses, but the clump is pretty lax and floppy now, and in danger of suffocating neighbouring grasses. Should I trim back the whole clump so I just get the new year’s growth?

[@growitbuildit]

Hi Andrew - I would go ahead and cut them. If the grass is healthy, then it should have no problem degrowing. Especially if it is coming out of dormancy.

[@marvinjackson2641]

what temp. do they survive? on the low end

[@growitbuildit]

Hi Marvin - Muhly grass is hardy to zone 6/7. I'm technically in zone 6, and mine always comes back.

[@kapa0224]

Can you show more pics please. Also where did you get your seed?

[@growitbuildit]

I have a large number of pictures here - growitbuildit.com/muhlenbergia-capillaris-guide-pink-muhly-grass/ And I originally had bought my seed from Roundstone seed.

[@maplewheat2010]

Thanks for sharing! I'm curious- have you ever grown a Crossandra plant? The blooms are somewhat unique. It's new to me, I only came across it this weekend, but I don't see many English-speaking videos here on youtube on the Crossandras.

[@growitbuildit]

Hi Twyla - I have not grown that plant. Sorry I couldn't be of help!

[@jeepbostonbeachjunkie2978]

I am working on replacing nonnative grasses that the previous owners planted with native grasses. Since living at the house I noticed the nonnative grasses multiply quickly. They actually started to over take my flower beds. Will this native grass do the same? Thanks

[@growitbuildit]

This has not spread very much at all for me....that is over the course of 5 years now.

[@rosemuhawi7897]

I have a whole bunch of these grasses lakefront planted about two years ago and they don’t seem to grow well or putting out purple color. Can you tell me what’s wrong

[@growitbuildit]

If a native plant isn't happy, then one of the key growing conditions is probably missing. For Gulf Muhly, ot needs full sun (6 hr per day) and well draining soil. It naturally grows in drier areas. If it's too shady or the soil is always wet, it probably won't do well.

[@kellyp1460]

We just bought 3 of these from Lowe’s a couple weeks ago. We haven’t had a chance to put them in the ground so they’re still in the pots they came in. One of them is still very green and looks good. The other 2 look kind of whiteish brown. Does this mean they are dead or should we still plant them?

[@growitbuildit]

Hi Kelly - If the two brown ones are dry and light weight, they might be dead. Perhaps you could return them to lowes? If not, I would probably stick them in the ground and hope to get lucky.

[@kellyp1460]

@@growitbuildit thanks for suggesting taking them back to Lowe’s. I did not think they would take them back but the did and we were able to get some more 😀 Can’t wait to get them in the ground and watch them bloom!

[@carenallen5841]

Does this grow in Michigan zone 7

[@growitbuildit]

Hi - yes, it should be able to grow in zone 7

[@ksero1000]

Are these just an annual in zone 6 SW Pennsylvania type area?

[@growitbuildit]

Hi Rose - these are perennial to me, and I'm in South Central PA, technically in zone 6.

[@ksero1000]

@@growitbuildit NIIIIIIICE!!!! Thank you! 🌾

[@noelgan6864]

Where could i able but this pink grass?😊😊👍👍

[@growitbuildit]

Hi Noel, I have no idea who sells it. The company i bought seed from a few years ago no longer carries it. Your best bet is to talk to your local garden center to see if they could get it

[@cathymadden606]

@@growitbuildit I bought some from Etsy. Lilygardens, I believe.

[@karenharris4176]

Do you prune your back? I saw some videos on KZbin that they cute it all the way down and let it grow back. Do you need to do that?

[@growitbuildit]

I cut it back in the Spring. You don't "have " to cut it back, it will still regrow new blades. But it will look much tidier if you do.

[@funjumpfamily]

Cut back in february about 6-8" above ground. When you cut them back it will stimulate new growth much better than not cutting it back.

[@JBurke-of3kq]

We need something to replace our Mexican Feather Grass but I'm worried about what happens when it disperses it seeds. Mexican feather grass seeds were a disaster in our yard with millions of fine haired seeds in every creack in our patio. If our dog was sniffing anywhere he'd sniff up the seeds and we'd never get them out of his nose. Poor guy was trying to snort them out! It propagated in every crack or patch of dirt in our yard. Does this grass drop seeds in the same way and quantity?

[@growitbuildit]

I very rarely get volunteers, surprisingly.

[@ClassicRoyal]

Buy at the nursery. Make sure it is rather large. Pricing should be around $20-30. I bought a $10 clump and got one pink muley stem! You should not have to wait a year to see results. I’m buying from another nursery and theirs are large and healthy. You get what you pay for!

[@gretaasuncion3386]

I love this! Can this survive in Minnesota?

[@growitbuildit]

It might be tough to grow in MN. That is Zone 4. I'm in Zone 6/7, and it does ok. So, as far as normal gardening goes, I'm not sure it would work. You could always give it a shot with seeds. And just give it a ton of mulch in the fall. That can make certain plants survive colder climates due to the extra insulation.

[@trooperandz1]

The description says "how to care for".... but there is no mention of proper care besides what to do if you plant it in clay! Like how often do you water, how many hours of sun etc??

[@matthewschmitt2454]

Pink, dude. Pink.

[@thomasseibold4055]

So the seeds can be planted, as you show. But do the seeds randomly drop off and self-seed around the original plant? I don't want any plant that is always propagating and outgrowing its designated space.

[@growitbuildit]

I've never really had much of any self-seeding from my plants. They hold to the stalk quite well.

[@heidismith6148]

Do u remember where u got the seeds?

[@growitbuildit]

Hi Heidi - it is a company called Roundstone Seed. They have good product, as I've bought multiple species from them multiple times. I don't think they sell them anymore though.

[@nelsonnena1]

What does this plant look like when it’s just a month old. The one planted in my garden has light beige blooms. I’m concerned it is not Muhly grass

[@growitbuildit]

If it was a seedling/juvenile, then it shouldn't really be blooming yet. It should just look like a small clump of grass.

[@nelsonnena1]

@@growitbuildit when it was planted, it looked like a small clump of grass. One month later, it has the beige flowers. I’m thinking it’s not Muhly grass since Muhly grass doesn’t bloom until fall.

[@growitbuildit]

If the plumage doesn't look like in the video... then it is probably something else

[@nelsonnena1]

@@growitbuildit , thank you for your quick reply.

[@54suburban5]

So where is the how to care for it part????

[@kellyelizabethjohnson9276]

This grass was sadly a huge disappointment…very few fronds and after five years I pulled them all out…my gardener recommended it and she was saying she wasn’t going to install it anymore either…

[@growitbuildit]

That's terrible - did you purchase full plants or start from seed? I divided mine a couple years ago to increase them around my yard.

[@kellyelizabethjohnson9276]

@@growitbuildit my gardener had bought us gallon pots from her reputable supplier, and we all had the same experience..for her it was a let down as she researched this grass and has other clients where it was installed too…she’s thinking it maybe needs more sun, not sure what the problem was…I love the look of it for sure

[@growitbuildit]

@@kellyelizabethjohnson9276 It definitely likes sun. Like most any plant, more sunlight will translate to more blooms or in this case, fronds.

[@tonyaperry4763]

Honestly there was not info in this video about how to grow.