Pink Muhly Grass
Muhlenbergia capillaris
Warm-season grass turning cotton-candy pink in fall and holding its form all winter, 2–3 ft tall.
- Full sun
- Dry–average
- 2–3 ft
- Blooms Sep–Oct
Florida · Zones 8–11
Native Ornamental Grasses in Florida
Native grasses and sedges that bring movement, winter structure, and bird seed — the matrix that ties a planting together. For Florida, the right natives are shaped by Florida flatwoods, scrub & subtropical south and a subtropical to tropical, wet summers climate. Every species below, from Pink Muhly Grass and Little Bluestem to the rest of the list, is genuinely native to Florida and the wider flora of the Southeast and hardy through zones 8–11. Native grasses are the connective tissue of a natural planting, weaving between the flowers, holding the soil, and standing handsome through the whole winter. Warm-season grasses want full sun and lean soil and green up late, so don't give up on them in May. Cut everything back to a hand's height in late winter, just before new growth, and that's the entire job.
The plants
6 native species for Florida
Each one native to your region and hardy in zones 8–11 · see this collection in other states.
Little Bluestem
Schizachyrium scoparium
A native grass that glows blue-green to copper and stands through winter, 2–4 ft tall.
- Full sun
- Dry–average
- 2–4 ft
- Fall color
Indian Grass
Sorghastrum nutans
A native grass that glows bronze-gold plumes and stands through winter, 4–7 ft tall.
- Full sun
- Dry–average
- 4–7 ft
- Fall color
Pennsylvania Sedge
Carex pensylvanica
Fine-textured native grass weaving the planting together, reaching 6–12 in.
- Part shade
- Dry–average
- 6–12 in
- Foliage
Big Bluestem
Andropogon gerardii
Turns bronze-purple seed heads as the season ends and holds that form till spring cleanup, spreading 2–3 ft.
- Full sun
- Dry to wet
- 4–7 ft
- Fall color
Switchgrass
Panicum virgatum
Catches the low autumn light, turning airy pink-gold panicles and standing 3–6 ft tall right through the snow.
- Full–part sun
- Dry to wet
- 3–6 ft
- Fall color
Sourcing
Where to find these in Florida
Seeds & live plants on Amazon
Seed packets, plugs, and starter plants for many of these species ship to your door.
Browse on AmazonSome links here are affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. The surest source of locally-adapted stock is a native-plant nursery or a native plant society sale in your area.