Super Thin Grass Species

Zone 4

• Thin-foliaged grasses hardy to USDA plant hardiness zone 4 tolerate average annual low temperatures to -30 degrees F. Tufted hair grass (Deschampsia cespitosa) is hardy in zones 4 to 9. It grows well in light to partial shade and moist soil and reaches heights to 3 feet. Tufted hair grass has hair-like, dark-green foliage topped with airy green and yellow inflorescences that last from late summer through winter. Prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepisis) grows to 15 inches tall and forms flowing clumps of dense, lustrous green foliage. Its thin, thread-like leaves turn dark orange to bronze in autumn. Prairie dropseed is hardy in zones 4 to 8 and thrives in a range of soils and sun to light shade.

Zone 5

• In USDA zone 5, average annual lows reach to -20 degrees. Fountain grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides) is hardy in zones 5 to 9. It grows in 2- to 4-foot-tall clumps of fine, arching green foliage that turns yellow in autumn. Fountain grass grows well in sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Maiden grass (Miscanthus sinensis) is also hardy in zones 5 to 9. This tall, thin grass grows to 8 feet and forms weeping, arching clumps of green white foliage. It prefers sun to light shade and tolerates a range of soils.

Zone 6

• USDA zone 6's average annual lows reach to -10 degrees. Needle grass (Stipa tenacissima) is hardy in zones 6 to 8. It prefers sunny sites with excellent drainage and grows to 2 feet tall. Needle grass grows in upright clumps of thin, silvery-green grass with slightly tufted tips. Mexican feather grass (Nassella tenuissima) is hardy in zones 6 to 9. This drought-tolerant grass has thread-like foliage and produces silver inflorescences. It reaches heights to 2 feet and thrives in well-drained sites with sunny to lightly shaded exposures.

Zone 7

• In USDA zone 7, average lows reach 0 degrees. Weeping love grass (Eragrostis curvula) is hardy in zones 7 to 9 and reaches heights of 3 feet. This sun-loving grass thrives in clay to sandy soils and tolerates drought. It has fine, green foliage that turns yellow in autumn. Lindheimer's muhly (Muhlenbergia lindherimeri) grows in 5-foot-tall clumps of thread-like, blue-gray foliage. This heat- and drought-tolerant grass is hardy in zones 7 to 9 and prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It blooms with long-lasting, gray-purple inflorescences in fall.