Image of Muhlenbergia mexicana
Source: Henry Nick Robertson

Plant Names

image of Grass
Muhlenbergia mexicana
Mexican Muhly
Muhlenbergie du Mexique

Synonyms

Mexican satingrass
wire-stemmed muhly
muhlenbergia du Mexique
muhlenbergie mexicaine

Plant Characteristics

Bloom Colour: Green Bloom Period: Aug - Sep
Max Height: 2.0 feet
Max Width: 2.0 feet (spreads by rhizome)
Light Condition:
Full sun More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Part shade More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Full shade Less than 2 or 3 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Moisture medium Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan: Perennial plants that will come back year after year
Gardener Experience:
beginner friendly Suitable for beginner gardeners
does not spread Does not spread uncontrollably
plant spread by rhizome Spreads by rhizome
plant germinate easy Easy to germinate
plant self seeding Self-seeding
Landscape Uses:
rain garden Suitable for rain gardens
container suitable Suitable for container garden
school garden Suitable for school gardens
woodland garden Suitable for woodland gardens
Ecological Benefits: No ecological benefits information available.
Tolerates:
Transplantation Tolerant Tolerates transplantation
Special Features and Considerations:

Seed and plant distribution status

No seeds available for this plant.
We currently accept seeds for this plant

Fun Facts

Mexican Muhly is a native ornamental grass with fine-textured foliage and delicate flower sprays that create a soft, airy appearance in late summer and fall. It grows naturally in moist meadows, stream banks, and open woodlands. It prefers moist to average soils. Its graceful form adds texture and movement to native gardens. It is a well-behaved clumping grass that does not spread aggressively.

Plant Location

Native to Ottawa region: Yes

Distribution according to VASCAN

Distribution: Muhlenbergia mexicana
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent

Thrives in Ecozones

  • Taiga Plains
  • Taiga Shield
  • Boreal Plains
  • Montane Cordillera
  • Boreal Shield
  • Mixed Wood Plains

Ecological Benefits

Butterflies Supported by Muhlenbergia mexicana

No butterfly data available for this plant.

Specialized Bees Supported by Muhlenbergia mexicana

No bee data available for this plant.

Complementary Plants

Substitute For Non-Native Plants

  • Miscanthus (Silvergrass)
  • Cortaderia selloana (Pampas Grass)
  • Phalaris arundinacea (Reed Canary Grass)

Sowing Information

Download Seed Envelope Labels (PDF)
  • Sowing depth: Surface sow
  • Sow anytime
  • Stratification duration: 0 days
  • Self-seeding
  • Notes: Can be sown in spring in warm soil.

Harvesting and Seed Sharing

  • Harvest start month: October
  • Harvesting indicator:
    • Seeds easily fall off when you gently pull them off
  • Harvesting:
    • Use hand to detach from main stem
  • Seed viability test:
    • No test needed before donating
  • Packaging measure: 1 rounded 1/32 teaspoon
  • Seed storage:
    • Air dry in paper bag or open container, for a few days until crisp
    • Shake seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
  • Cultivar: No, you can donate without knowing the source as there are only straight species
  • No harvesting video available at this time.

Toxicity Notes

Not known to be toxic to mammals if ingested.