Carried by 8 nurseries
View Availability at NurseryData provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria
View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora
Thingrass (Agrostis pallens) is a perennial grass that makes an eco-friendly lawn alternative, requiring half the water of non-native grasses. Its deep green color lasts year-round with weekly summer watering, and it tolerates light foot traffic.
Thingrass grows up to 2 feet tall but typically reaches about 1 foot in height and width. Its narrow leaves, usually under 2 inches long, complement its feathery flower clusters. Mowing is optional; without it, the grass has a meadow-like appearance.
Adaptable to various soils, it thrives in sun or part shade, making it an ideal ground cover for under trees. Thingrass also attracts butterflies and moths, adding both beauty and ecological value.
Grass
4 - 28 in Tall
Upright, Spreading
Moderate
Evergreen, Summer Semi-deciduous
None
Green
Spring
Groundcover, Lawn alternative
Full Sun, Partial Shade, Deep Shade
Low
Max 1x / week once established
Easy
Tolerates cold to -10° F
Medium
Tolerates a variety of soils as long as drainage is good.
Soil PH: 5.0 - 8.0
Can tolerate close mowing heights, making it a good lawn alternative.
1*, 2, 3, 4*, 5*, 6*, 7*, 8, 9, 14*, 15*, 16*, 17*, 18*, 19*, 20*, 21*, 22*, 23*, 24*
Open meadows, grasslands, coastal strand, openings in chaparral, woodland or forest
Chaparral, Coastal Strand, Foothill Woodland, Lodgepole Forest, Red Fir Forest, Subalpine Forest, Valley Grassland, Yellow Pine Forest
Can be combined with many different plants depending on the use. In a meadow-like garden or rock garden it can be used with various annuals or herbaceous perennials. In the understory of a woodland garden it can be used with virtually any trees or large shrubs.
Butterflies and moths supported
0 confirmed and 4 likely
Common Roadside-Skipper
Amblyscirtes vialis
Common Ringlet
Coenonympha tullia
Armyworm Moth
Mythimna unipuncta
Sandhill Skipper
Polites sabuleti