The grass isn’t always greener on the other side, but it’s definitely growing – everywhere!
Whether it’s a sprawling lawn or a tiny backyard, you’ve got grass. But the type of grass you grow matters a lot, especially in terms of care and eco-friendliness.
Australian native grasses are a fantastic, low-maintenance option for lawns and gardens. They’re perfectly suited for the local growing conditions and climate – and they use much less water than a traditional lawn.
From common tussock to red-leg grass, there’s plenty of ground to cover. (Ahem.) With such a wide range of Australian native grasses, here are some of our favourites to take over your lawn.
Cool-Season Grasses | Warm-Season Grasses | Caring for Native Grasses | Can Native Grass Be a Weed?
Australian Native Grasses List
- Common tussock
- Swamp foxtail
- Wallaby grass
- Weeping rice grass
- Blue flax lily
- Bottlebrush
- Brush wiregrass
- Kangaroo grass
- Mat rush
- Red-leg grass
Why Choose Australian Native Grasses for Lawns?
Native grasses are becoming more and more popular for Australian lawns.
They’re perfectly adapted to the local climate and environment, and offer several benefits, such as:
- Minimal watering
- Low-fertiliser needs
- Reduced soil erosion
- Sustainable landscaping
- Lower maintenance costs
Australian native grass lawns also provide food and habitat for local wildlife, especially when grown alongside native flowers.
Cool-Season Australian Native Grasses
Cool-season grasses are – as the name suggests – able to tolerate cold temperatures but don’t do so well in heat. They thrive in temperatures from 15-25ºC.
These Australian native grass types are best grown in cooler climates such as South Australia, Tasmania, and Victoria, as well as southern areas of New South Wales.
Since they’re more susceptible to heat, they’ll need more water in hotter months or may even go dormant. However, they’ll do well in shady areas.
Common tussock grass
Native range: Most states/territories, primarily southern and eastern Australia
Grass height: 0.8-1.0m
Tolerance: Drought, cold, salt, part shade, heavy or moist soil
Common tussock grass (Poa labillardieri) is a slender, blue-green native grass with weeping leaves.
Tussock grass is a hardy species, able to tolerate drought, cold weather, and some shade. As a cool-season grass, it can survive in temperatures down to about -12ºC (10ºF).
Plant tussock grass in full sun to partial shade, with well-draining soil. Water well during hot months. Avoid growing in hot, humid climates.
P. labillardieri has small, feather flower heads in late spring to summer. In warmer climates, tussock grass will go dormant in summer and autumn.
NOTE: Make sure to get the native tussock or poa grass! Poa annua (winter grass) is considered an environmental weed.
Swamp foxtail grass
Native range: Primarily NSW and QLD
Grass height: 0.5-1.0m
Tolerance: Drought, poor soils, part shade, light frost
Swamp foxtail (Pennisetum alopecuroides) is another native tussock with thin, green leaves and dense foliage.
This native grass can grow even in moist or boggy soils, so long as it has adequate sunlight. In spring, you’ll get fuzzy cream or pink flowers that are great for cutting and drying.
Many gardeners grow swamp foxtail in clumps along borders or in rock gardens, since the flowers add unique textures.
Look for the Ozbreed cultivars, Pennstripe™ or Nafray™, as these are not self-seeding and so will not spread to local ecosystems.
NOTE: Be sure to get the native Australian Pennisetum, and not the exotic species African Pennisetum. Keep in mind, though, that the native Pennisetum is a weed in Victoria!
Wallaby grass
Native range: Most common in SA, also WA and the eastern coast from NSW to TAS
Grass height: 0.2-0.9m
Tolerance: Drought, poor soils, high acidity, heavy soils, high frost
There are several species of wallaby grass, which you’ll recognise by the dense tussocks of blue-green leaves with a tufted white top.
Rytidosperma grasses are great Australian native grasses for landscaping, since they can tolerate a wide range of growing conditions. The most commonly grown is Rytidosperma caespitosum.
Wallaby grass grows best in temperate climates, and it’s more frost-tolerant than other native grasses. It can thrive in most soils so long as there’s good drainage.
These grasses usually turn brown in drought or heat, but they handle hotter temperatures better than other cool-season species. However, they should not be mowed too short or they’ll struggle to regrow.
Weeping rice grass
Native range: Widespread in most states, but common in rainy areas of SA
Grass height: 0.1-0.3m
Tolerance: Drought, poor soils, moderate salt, semi-shade, wet climates
Weeping rice grass (Microlaena stipoides) is very shade tolerant, especially in cool weather. That makes it a great option for growing underneath native trees.
The leaves are long, with slender flower stalks that have a distinct “weeping” appearance. You’ll get very small, white flowers from summer to autumn.
Weeping rice grass can be mowed to any height, so it’s the best native Australian grass to mimic a traditional lawn. It spreads easily over short distances, too, thanks to the underground rhizomes.
However, weeping rice grass doesn’t do well under high foot traffic – and don’t let your dog wee on it, either!
Warm-Season Australian Native Grasses
Warm-season grasses have good heat and drought tolerance, but will lose their colour in cooler weather. They’re happiest in temperatures between 20-32ºC.
These Australian native grasses are best for most climates, including warmer regions like New South Wales, Queensland, and Western Australia.
In autumn to winter, expect warm-season grasses to die back or go dormant. (Don’t worry, they’ll be back in spring!)
Blue flax lily
Native range: Primarily NSW, but also NT, eastern SA, and VIC
Grass height: 0.9-1.2m
Tolerance: Drought, salt, moderate frost, acidic soil, poor soil
It’s called Blue flax lily, but this is actually a native grass! Dianella longifolia is also known as blueberry lily for the berries in the summer (which are edible).
In summer, the long stalks produce white or purple flowers that attract beneficial insects and birds.
Blue flax lily is hardy and low-maintenance, thriving in most climates except tropical. You can grow it in full sun or partial shade, and in a variety of soil conditions.
D. longifolia is a great native plant for dry shade, since it needs minimal watering once established. It’s fine being cut back hard since it regrows from underground rhizomes.
Bottlebrush grass
Native range: Widespread in SA, also found in NSW, QLD, and VIC
Grass height: 0.3m
Tolerance: Drought, light frost, poor soil conditions
This is a grass of many names, from shuttlecock to bottle washers – all of which refer to the tufted tips of the grass stems.
Bottlebrush grass (Enneapogon nigricans) starts off green, then turns a light brown as the plant matures. The grass leaves only reach 0.3m in height, but the long stems can grow taller.
The cream-white flower heads emerge in early summer, and are great for adding colour and texture to a garden.
E. nigricans is drought-tolerant and low maintenance, but doesn’t do well in shade. It’s also one of the more short-lived native grasses.
Brush wiregrass
Native range: Widespread in SA, common in NSW and VIC
Grass height: 0.2-0.4m
Tolerance: Drought, slightly acidic soil, moderate frost
This is one of the native grasses with very high drought tolerance, since it occurs in areas with low rainfall.
Brush wiregrass (Aristida behriana) has short leaves that are dark green with purple tips. The flowers have a cream colour and look like the end of a broom.
Due to the low-growing and spreading habit, brush wiregrass makes great ground cover. The seeds attract birds and insects, so be ready for some garden visitors.
A. behriana likes full sun and sandy soil that’s slightly acidic.
Kangaroo grass
Native range: All over Australia but primarily NSW, QLD, and SA
Grass height: 0.3-0.9m
Tolerance: Drought, sandy soils, salt, light shade, light frost
From the bush to the coast, you can find kangaroo grass just about everywhere in Australia! Themeda triandra is iconic for leaves that look like a kangaroo’s paw (not to be confused with the Kangaroo Paw Plant).
In the wild, kangaroo grass is a staple food source for native wildlife. And surprisingly, the seeds are edible for humans when roasted and ground into flour.
This tufted native grass has blue-green foliage that turns a rusty red-purple in winter. It produces reddish flowers in summer, which turn bronze in autumn – making it attractive when grown in clumps.
A kangaroo grass lawn will thrive in full sun, but can tolerate light shade. T. triandra can grow in slightly acidic or alkaline soil conditions so long as there’s good drainage.
The grass has a dense growth habit, so mow 1-2 times a year to keep it in good condition.
Mat rush
Native range: Along the east coast of Australia (QLD to TAS)
Grass height: 0.4-1.0m
Tolerance: Drought, salt, slight shade, cold winters
Lomandra longifolia goes by many names, including mat rush, basket grass, and honey reed. Native lomandra is very hardy and versatile, able to grow in many conditions.
Mat rush is a fast-growing grass, with glossy green leaves and sweet-smelling, cream flowers in spring. This low-maintenance ground cover is excellent for controlling weeds and soil erosion.
Thanks to its deep root system, mat rush can withstand long periods of drought. It can grow in a wide range of soils and even some light shade.
Unlike other warm-season grasses, mat rush can tolerate cold winters (-7ºC), but needs warm summers to “bounce back.” It will die back in wet, cold winters.
Red-leg grass
Native range: Grassy areas of NSW, QLD, SA, TAS, and VIC
Grass height: 0.2-0.4m
Tolerance: Drought, salt, sandy soils, poor nutrients, slightly acidic soils
Red-leg grass or redgrass (Bothriochloa macra) gets its name from the reddish leaves and reddish-purple flowers.
This is a slow-growing native grass, with the leaves reaching a naturally low height of 0.4m. That means when established, the redgrass won’t need much mowing!
Red-leg grass is extremely drought-tolerant thanks to its deep root system. It prefers heavy clay or loamy soils that are slightly acidic, although it can tolerate slightly alkaline conditions.
B. macra is great for sloped gardens or coastal environments.
Caring for Australian Native Grasses
One of the biggest benefits of planting native grasses is their low-maintenance care!
Australian native grasses are easily grown from seeds, so long as you sow during the correct season.
Cool-season grasses should be sown in temperatures between 15-23ºC, while warm-season grasses should be sown between 21-32ºC.
Watering native grasses
Most native grasses are drought-tolerant once established, meaning they’ll need little watering.
Newly germinated grass should be watered regularly to establish roots. Cool-season grasses may need extra watering during hot months.
Otherwise, an established native lawn can subsist on rainfall.
If your grass starts turning brown, don’t panic about a dead lawn! It could just be losing its colour outside of its season, but check on the crowns to make sure it’s not a sign of underwatering.
Mowing native grasses
Mowing requirements will depend on the types of native Australian grasses.
Some native grasses, such as kangaroo grass or weeping rice grass, benefit from mowing in late winter or early spring. This cuts back old foliage and encourages new growth.
Other grasses, though, do not benefit from mowing. Wallaby grass shouldn’t be mowed shorter than 0.4m or it’ll struggle to grow back, while low-growing redgrass doesn’t need mowing at all.
You can even skip the mowing entirely and allow your native lawn to grow freely! Then you’ll only need to prune any dead, dying, or diseased growth.
Fertilising native grasses
Australian native grasses have adapted to low-nutrient soils, so they generally do not require fertiliser.
When you mow your lawn (or hire a lawn mowing service), you can save the clippings and use them as organic mulch.
If you do use a fertiliser, make sure it’s low in phosphorus.
Can Native Grasses Be Considered Weeds?
Yes, some native grasses have become invasive in different states or cities.
For example, windmill grass (Chloris truncata) is considered a weed in Queensland, South Australia, and Western Australia. The grass is resistant to certain pest control methods and encroaches on farming systems.
Swamp foxtail (Pennisetum alopecuroides) is a naturalised weed in Victoria.
When growing native grasses, always check your local state or council regulations to see whether that plant is a weed or not.
Know More About Native Grasses (FAQs)
Let’s answer a few common questions people have about native grasses in Australia.
When to cut back native grasses in Australia?
For most Australian native grasses, cut them back in late winter or early spring, before the growing season.
In general, do not cut grasses below 10-20cm unless you’re dethatching the lawn.
What is the native Australian no-mow grass?
Most Australian native grasses can be no-mow grass, except for fast-growing varieties like mat rush, kangaroo grass, and weeping rice grass.
No-mow lawns allow homeowners to enjoy a lush, wild landscape that is diverse and eco-friendly. The lawn helps support native wildlife while using less water and other resources.
What are the native grasses for grain in Australia?
Surprisingly, kangaroo grass is a grain grass! The seeds can be roasted and ground into flour for baking.
Other Australian native grasses for grain include mitchell grass, native millet, and purslane.
Most grasses on this list, however, are purely ornamental.
Wallaby grass vs. Kangaroo grass
Wallaby and kangaroo grass are two different species, although they’re both named after iconic Aussie animals.
Wallaby grass is a cool-season grass with green leaves and white tufts. On the other hand, kangaroo grass is a warm-season grass with blue-green foliage and reddish flowers.
