Pink Muhly Grass in a black nursery pot, fine green blades arching over a gravel yard with more pots behind.
Pink Muhly Grass in a black nursery pot, fine green blades arching over a gravel yard with more pots behind.Close view of airy purple-pink Pink Muhly Grass plumes rising above slender green stems in a dark container.Hazy plumes of Pink Muhly Grass fill a bed beside an iron fence and a black metal bench in low sun.
Nursery grown

Pink Muhly Grass

Muhlenbergia capillaris

Pink Muhly Grass, 1-gallon, ready to plant

$78.94 1 GALLON
Size
Quantity1
  • Pink plumes bloom from September through November, extending fall interest into early winter
  • Low-maintenance and drought-tolerant once established, with excellent deer resistance
  • Adapts to multiple soil types; reaches 2-3 ft wide and 3-4 ft tall in bloom
Secure checkoutShips in its nursery containerGrowing guides included

About this plant

Pink muhly grass is a warm-season ornamental grass that produces airy pink plumes in late summer through fall, adding seasonal color to the landscape. It thrives in full sun for best bloom intensity and adapts well to sand, loam, or clay soils. A popular choice for borders, xeriscape gardens, and naturalized meadows, it brings reliable color and high deer resistance.

This 1-gallon nursery plant arrives in a container and is ready to establish in your garden. Upon arrival, water thoroughly and plant in a location with good drainage. Regular watering for the first month helps the plant establish its root system; once settled, it tolerates drought well. Expect full mature foliage size within 2 to 3 years.

Where to plant Pink Muhly Grass

It suits sunny, well-drained ground, and earns its space in drifts, borders and dry spots.

Mass planting

Set plants 18 to 36 inches apart and let them knit into a single drift.

Perennial border

At 2 to 3 feet tall and wide, it pairs with coneflower, salvia and sedum.

Dry slope

It tolerates drought, poor soil and salt, so it works on slopes and coastal sites.

Patio pot

Good drainage is the one requirement, and tan seed heads stay through winter if uncut.

Not ideal for: It is a poor fit for shade, where flowering fades, and for waterlogged soil.

Pink Muhly Grass at a glance

Botanical nameMuhlenbergia capillaris
Plant typewarm-season ornamental grass (herbaceous perennial)
USDA zones6-9 (some sources list 5b-10)
Mature height2-3 ft foliage clump, 3-4 ft including bloom plumes
Mature width2-3 ft
Sunfull sun to light/part shade; best bloom color in full sun
Waterlow to moderate; regular watering to establish, drought-tolerant once established
Bloom timelate summer to fall, typically September-November (varies by region/latitude)
Bloom colorairy pink to reddish-pink plumes; some cultivars show purple or white
Growth ratemoderate, roughly 6-12 in of growth per year to reach mature size in 2-3 years
Deer resistancegood/high
Best planting timespring or fall; container-grown plants can generally be planted anytime the ground is workable in its hardiness range

Container sizes explained

#1 / 1 GallonA trade one gallon pot (about 6.5 inches). One to two seasons older than a quart, with an established root system.
#2 / 2 GallonA trade two gallon pot. Common for peonies and perennials that need root room; usually blooms the first or second year.
#3 / 3 GallonA trade three gallon pot (about 10 inches). A well-developed shrub or small tree, often 2 to 4 feet tall on arrival.

Questions before you buy

What size should I choose?

We offer this plant in 1-gallon nursery containers, which is an established size ready to plant directly in your garden. These mature to full size within 2-3 years, making them a practical choice for landscape projects.

When should I plant after arrival?

Plant as soon as possible after arrival. Pink muhly grass is best planted in spring or early fall to allow establishment before extreme heat or cold. Water thoroughly upon planting and maintain regular watering for the first month.

How large does pink muhly grass grow?

The foliage clump reaches 2-3 feet wide and 2-3 feet tall. With fall bloom plumes, the total height is 3-4 feet. Moderate growth of 6-12 inches per year means plants reach this mature size in 2-3 years.

How much sun does it need?

Pink muhly grass performs best in full sun, which produces the most vibrant bloom color. It tolerates light to part shade, though you may see reduced flowering and less intense coloration in shadier spots.

What hardiness zones does pink muhly grass grow in?

Pink muhly grass is rated for USDA zones 6-9. Some sources suggest hardiness extends to zone 5b or 10 depending on local microclimates. Check your zone before ordering to confirm it will survive winter.

What care does it need the first year?

Water regularly for the first month to establish a strong root system. Once established, reduce watering as it tolerates drought well; provide good drainage to prevent waterlogging. Expect modest growth the first year, with more vigorous expansion in years 2-3.

Growing guides for Pink Muhly Grass

Three black pots of Pink Muhly Grass in different sizes stand on a brick patio by white porch steps.

Buying Pink Muhly Grass: Container Sizes and What to Look For

Quart sizes, cultivar notes, and the look of a healthy container plant

Kneeling at a front bed, a gardener in a green jacket lowers a small Pink Muhly Grass clump into a dug hole.

How to Plant Pink Muhly Grass for the Best Fall Color

Spring and fall planting windows that bring the best fall color

A rounded tan mound of dormant Pink Muhly Grass sits in dark mulch beside a white house wall and brick walkway.

The Complete Pink Muhly Grass Care Guide for Every Season

A seasonal calendar for planting, cutting back, watering, and fixing trouble

A wide green clump of Pink Muhly Grass before bloom arches in black mulch near a young staked tree and lawn.

How Big Does Pink Muhly Grass Get? Size and Growth Rate

Final size, yearly growth, and the point it reaches full size

Faded brown Pink Muhly Grass spills over a narrow bed between stone steps with an iron rail and a wet sidewalk.

Pink Muhly Grass Hardiness Zones: Where It Thrives

Judge how cold hardy this ornamental grass really is and which zones suit it

A weathered terracotta pot overflows with Pink Muhly Grass plumes, set on flagstones near a stone wall.

Growing Pink Muhly Grass in Pots and Containers

Materials, care tips, and seasonal upkeep for raising it in a pot

Drifts of Pink Muhly Grass line a farmhouse border with yellow black-eyed Susans beside a gravel drive.

Landscape Ideas for Pink Muhly Grass and Companion Plants

Companion plants, mass planting spacing, and design ideas that show off its plumes

Glowing coral-pink Pink Muhly Grass plumes in evening light, with a stacked stone wall and gray barn behind.

Pink Muhly Grass Sun Requirements for Best Pink Color

Full sun gives the strongest pink plumes, while part shade softens the color