Poaceae
grey hair-grass: Ground Cover Plant
Corynephorus canescens
An extremely undemanding steppe grass requiring full sun and very well-draining, nutrient-poor sandy soil; almost no need for fertilization or watering.
Every 10 days
Direct sun
-15° - °C
% - %
Categories
What is grey hair-grass?
grey hair-grass (Corynephorus canescens) is a easy-care plant from the Poaceae family. Grey hair-grass is a perennial, densely tufted grass from the Poaceae family, typically growing 15–30 cm tall. It has narrow, bristly, grey-green to silvery-blue leaves and produces delicate, silvery panicles with a purplish tint in June to July, whose awns have a characteristic club-like shape (hen...
grey hair-grass grows up to 30cm, spread of 25cm, watering every 10 days. It is not suitable for indoor environments and safe for pets.
Unlike many tropical plants, grey hair-grass tolerates watering mistakes. Best for beginners. Unlike many popular species, grey hair-grass is safe to keep around pets.
How to Care for grey hair-grass?
TLDR: grey hair-grass needs Direct sun, watering every 10 days, and temperatures between -15-30°C with 40-70% humidity.
How Often Should You Water grey hair-grass?
Water only rarely and only during prolonged drought – the plant is adapted to survive in dry sands, and overwatering easily leads to root rot.
How Much Light Does grey hair-grass Need?
Requires full sun all day; in shade, it thins out, loses its silvery color, and flowers less profusely.
What Is the Best Soil for grey hair-grass?
Ideal is pure, well-draining sand or nutrient-poor sandy soil, slightly acidic to neutral (pH approx. 5–7), without waterlogging.
What Pot Should You Use for grey hair-grass?
A deep pot with excellent water drainage and a drainage layer at the bottom, if not grown directly in open sandy soil.
Care Schedule
Repot
Every 365 days
What Is grey hair-grass and Where Does It Come From?
Grey hair-grass is a perennial, densely tufted grass from the Poaceae family, typically growing 15–30 cm tall. It has narrow, bristly, grey-green to silvery-blue leaves and produces delicate, silvery panicles with a purplish tint in June to July, whose awns have a characteristic club-like shape (hence the Czech name). It is a typical pioneer species of wind-blown sands and open sandy grasslands – in the Czech Republic, it grows scattered in warmer areas of central and northwestern Bohemia (Polabí region) and in South Moravia. It tolerates extreme drought, poor soil, and large temperature fluctuations, and is therefore valued as an undemanding ornamental grass for rock gardens, gravel beds, and containers.
How to Propagate grey hair-grass?
Seed Sowing
- Seeds germinate best at temperatures around 15-20 degrees Celsius.
- 1 Substrate Preparation
Prepare a mixture of sand and garden substrate in a 3:1 ratio.
- 2 Sowing
Sow the seeds on the surface and press them down lightly; they need light to germinate.
- 3 Moisture
Keep the substrate slightly moist until the plants emerge, then reduce watering.
Materials needed:
Division of Clumps
- Only divide older, well-established clumps.
- 1 Removing the Clump
Carefully dig up a mature clump from the ground.
- 2 Dividing
Using a sharp knife or spade, divide the clump into several smaller sections, each with its own roots.
- 3 Planting
Immediately plant the new sections in a sunny location in sandy soil.
Materials needed:
How Big Does grey hair-grass Grow?
TLDR: grey hair-grass can reach up to 30cm tall with Slow growth rate.
Max height
30cm
Spread
25cm
Growth rate
Slow
Foliage
Deciduous
Plant Uses
Ornamental
Great for decoration
Ground Cover
Soil coverage
Is your plant showing symptoms?
Click on the symptom to discover possible causes:
What Diseases Commonly Affect grey hair-grass?
TLDR: grey hair-grass is susceptible to 3 known diseases. Monitor regularly for early detection.
Root Rot
Root rot is a serious fungal disease that affects the root system of plants, causing them to decay and die. It is primarily caused by overwatering, poor drainage, or soil-borne fungi such as Pythium, Phytophthora, Rhizoctonia, and Fusarium. The disease thrives in waterlogged conditions where roots are deprived of oxygen, making them susceptible to fungal infection.
Rust
Rust is a common fungal disease caused by fungi in the order Pucciniales that affects a wide variety of plants. The disease gets its name from the characteristic orange, yellow, or reddish-brown pustules that appear on leaves, resembling metal rust. This obligate fungal parasite requires living plants to survive and can cause significant economic losses in agricultural crops.
Aphids
Aphids are small, soft-bodied, pear-shaped insects (1/16 to 1/8 inch long) that feed by sucking nutrient-rich sap from plants. They reproduce rapidly and can quickly weaken plants, causing distorted growth and transmitting plant viruses. Aphids come in various colors including green, black, red, yellow, brown, and gray. They secrete honeydew, a sticky substance that attracts ants and encourages sooty mold growth.
Meaning & Symbolism
Symbolizes resilience and the ability to survive and thrive even in inhospitable, nutrient-poor conditions of sandy dunes.
Compare with similar plants
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Field Maple | Easy | Bright indirect | 14d | ✓ |
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| Silver Birch | Easy | Direct sun | 14d | ✓ |
| Common Blanketflower | Easy | Direct sun | 10d | ✓ |
