Outdoor Dream Builders

ROC #343460

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accentArizona NativePool FriendlyPet Friendly

Beargrass

Name: Beargrass
Brand: Outdoor Dream Builders

Nolina microcarpa

A graceful native grass-like accent that softens harsh desert hardscape with its flowing cascade of narrow leaves.

Cold hardy into the teens °F, USDA 9-11; a low- and mid-desert Southwest native.

AMWUA Notes

Native, low-water grass-like accent that softens hardscape with minimal care.

Care Guide

💧Watering

Water established plants monthly; drought tolerant and best with deep, infrequent soaks.

✂️Pruning

Comb out or remove dead leaves occasionally; no shaping needed.

🌱Fertilizing

Not necessary in native soil.

🛡️Pests

Pest-free and very tough.

☀️Seasonal Notes

Cold hardy into the teens °F; evergreen, fine-textured and low-litter year-round.

Soil, Feeding & Propagation

🪨Soil

Fast-draining decomposed granite or gritty mineral soil; low organic matter

💧Drainage

Needs sharp, fast-draining soil.

🌱Nutrient Needs

None — thrives in lean desert soil without fertilizer.

🌰Propagation

Division or seed

📐Spacing

4 ft

🌳Roots & Placement

Shallow, non-invasive roots; soft leaves are safe near pools and paths

Placement Tips

•Use to soften boulders and hardscape or as a grassy accent.
•Soft leaves are safe near pools, paths and play areas.
•Give it 4 ft of room.
•Plant in fast-draining soil.

Features

Soft flowing leavesSoftens hardscapeContainer-friendlyNative texture plant

Best Uses

AccentContainerSoftening hardscape

Companion Plants

accent

Native

Desert Spoon

Dasylirion wheeleri

An exceptional native specimen with a dense sphere of blue-gray leaves and a towering summer flower spike.

Low Waterfull sunPool Safe

succulent

Red Yucca

Hesperaloe parviflora

One of the toughest and most rewarding desert plants, sending up arching coral-red flower spikes that hummingbirds adore.

Very Low Waterfull sunPool Safe

grass

Native

Deer Grass

Muhlenbergia rigens

A fast-growing versatile native bunch grass with lush flower plumes that dries to an attractive tan.

Low Waterfull sunPool Safe

accent

Grass Tree

Dasylirion quadrangulatum

A sculptural accent with twisting narrow leaves that cascade like a living fountain from atop a slender trunk.

Low Waterfull sun

Quick Stats

Water NeedsLow

Sun Exposurefull sun

Mature Size3 ft H × 4 ft W

Growth Rateslow

Maintenancelow

HardinessUSDA 9-11

FoliageEvergreen

Drainagesharp, fast-draining

Bloom SeasonLate spring-summer

Bloom ColorPale green

Litter Levellow

ThornsNone

Native RegionSouthwestern US and Northern Mexico

Design Styles

desert modernnative habitat

Include in Your Project

Love Beargrass? Our landscape team sources from wholesale nurseries and can incorporate it into your design.

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Use this care guide to maintain your Beargrass. Questions about your landscape? Reach out anytime.

Data from 2024 AMWUA “Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert” guide.