Actual size and flowering may vary slightly based on season.
Deer Grass
Deer grass is a big, fountain-shaped native grass that grows into a lush mound 3 to 5 feet tall and wide. In fall, slender tan flower spikes rise a foot or two above the leaves. It takes full sun and reflected heat, gets by on little water and softens boulders, cactus and pool edges. Planted in groups or on a slope, it fills in within about two seasons.
Best for: Slopes and banks, groups around boulders and cactus, beds along pools and fountains, and hot spots with reflected heat.
Planted as a dense mass, it is a common choice for slopes and banks where soil washes. Give each plant 4 to 5 feet of room to spread.
The soft mound softens boulders, cactus and agaves in a desert bed. It looks best planted in groups rather than as one lone clump, with 4 to 5 feet of room for each plant.
It is commonly planted around pools, fountains and other water features. It handles full sun and reflected heat off decking and walls, and it grows as a clump that stays in place.
Without summer water the leaves brown out. It grows 3 to 5 feet wide, so it outgrows narrow beds. Repeated buzz cuts through the year weaken it over time.
- Plant to plant4 ft apart, center to center
Water new plants regularly while they get rooted. Over the first two months, slowly stretch the time between waterings.
Once rooted, give it a deep soak every 1 to 3 weeks in summer. It survives on less, but the leaves brown out without summer water.
Cut it back to a few inches in late winter or early spring. Once a year is enough, and some years you can skip it. Leave it alone the rest of the year.
Deer grass does not need fertilizer. Water on drip rather than overhead spray, which can lead to seedlings.
Turns tan in winter and greens up again in spring.
Drainage test first. Dig the hole and fill it with water. If water is still sitting in the hole a day later, you likely hit caliche, clay or hard soil, so fix the drainage before planting. If it drains very fast, the soil is sandy. Standing water around roots is a common reason new plants fail.
Weed cloth. Cut it away from the planting hole and where the roots will spread. Remove any plastic sheeting completely, since it keeps water and air out of the soil.
Rock or decomposed granite with no soil underneath. Bring in soil close in texture to your native soil, mix it with the soil below, and build up enough depth for roots before planting.
If you can break through. Use a breaker bar, pick, or jackhammer. Dig through the caliche and break out the solid chunks. Backfill with the soil you dug out, with no compost or manure in the hole. Confirm drainage before planting.
If you cannot break through. Dig narrow holes through the hard layer beside the root ball, not under it, and refill them with the same soil, not gravel. If it still will not drain, plant on a low mound of the same soil.
Root ball. Check the outside edges for any roots circling around. Loosen or cut those so they grow outward. Do not break up the center of the root ball.
Depth. The top of the root ball should sit at or just slightly above the surrounding soil level. Planting too deep can lead to rot and kill the plant.
Drip emitters. At planting, put the emitters on the root ball, on different sides of the plant. After about 2 months, move them to the outer edge of the root ball. Over the first year, add emitters farther out toward the edge of the branches as roots grow. Once a plant is rooted, never water only at the trunk.
How big does deer grass get?
The leafy mound grows about 3 to 5 feet tall and wide, and in fall the flower spikes stand a foot or two higher. It can reach full size within about two seasons, so leave room for it when you plant.
How much room does it need?
Give each plant 4 to 5 feet of width to grow. Plant it back from walks and driveways so the arching spikes do not hang over.
How often should I water deer grass in summer?
Once rooted, give it a deep soak every 1 to 3 weeks in summer. It survives on much less, but the leaves brown out when summer water runs short.
When should I cut back deer grass?
Cut it back once a year in late winter or early spring, down to a few inches. Fresh growth comes in quickly in spring, and some years you can skip the cut.
Can I trim it into a ball through the year?
No. Cut it back only once a year, in late winter or early spring, and let it keep its natural fountain shape the rest of the year.
Can it take full sun and reflected heat?
Yes. It handles full sun and reflected heat off walls and paving, so it can go in the hottest spots in the yard. It also grows in part shade.
Is deer grass good around a pool?
Yes. It is commonly planted around pools, fountains and water features, and it grows as a clump that stays in place. Set it back from the edge so the arching spikes have room.
Does deer grass spread or reseed?
It grows as a clump and is not invasive. Overhead spray watering can lead to some seedlings, so water it on drip.
Does it need fertilizer?
No. Deer grass grows well without fertilizer in Valley soil, so skip the feeding.
How cold can deer grass take?
It is hardy to 0°F or lower, so Valley winters do not hurt it. It needs no frost cover.
Does it attract birds or wildlife?
Birds eat the seed and use the leaves for nests, and it feeds the caterpillars of several butterflies and moths. Leave the seed heads up into winter if you want to feed the birds.
How is deer grass different from other muhlies?
Deer grass is one of the biggest muhlies, with tan flower spikes. Pine muhly is a small version, about 2 feet, and Autumn Glow is similar in size with a stiffer, upright form. Pick pink muhly if you want a smaller grass with pink plumes.
Deer Grass for sale in Arizona, delivered to you
Deer grass is a native bunch grass grown across the Valley for its full, fountain-like mound and fall flower spikes. It grows fast, takes reflected heat and needs little water. This page covers size, room per plant, summer watering, the yearly cut back and how it compares to other muhlies.
Sourced from trusted Arizona growers and delivered directly to your door, job site, or property. We deliver across the Valley and to nearby towns, and quote delivery anywhere else in Arizona.
How big does deer grass get in Arizona?
The mound grows about 3 to 5 feet tall and wide, with fall flower spikes a foot or two above. It grows fast and can reach full size in about two seasons.
How much room does deer grass need?
Give each plant 4 to 5 feet of width. Keep it back from walks and driveways so the spikes have room to arch.
When to cut back deer grass in Phoenix
Cut it back once a year in late winter or early spring, down to a few inches. New growth fills in fast. Skip the repeated trims through the year, which weaken it.
How often to water deer grass
Once rooted, a deep soak every 1 to 3 weeks in summer keeps it green. It survives on less, but the leaves brown out in a dry summer. Drip works better than spray heads.
Deer grass for slopes and erosion
A dense planting of deer grass is a common way to hold soil on slopes and banks. In the wild it grows along washes and canyon bottoms.
Deer grass around pools and reflected heat
It is commonly planted around pools and fountains. It handles full sun and reflected heat off walls and paving, and it also grows in part shade.
Deer grass vs pine muhly and Autumn Glow
Deer grass is a large grass with tan fall spikes. Pine muhly looks like a small version, about 2 feet tall. Autumn Glow is about the same size with a stiffer, upright form.
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