Natal Grass
Melinis repens · Warm-season, Annual or Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, Panicoideae, Paniceae tribe
Grass Category
Ornamental, Invasive/Weed, Forage Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Common Melinis repens (often naturalized)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 9-11; very heat tolerant but dies back with frost; seeds survive cold winters in dormant state.
About This Grass
An attractive but invasive grass reaching 2-3 feet tall. Noted for its shimmering, pink-to-reddish purple feathery seed heads that fade to silvery white as they age. Stems are slender and can be upright or sprawl near the ground.
Blade Characteristics
Blue-green to dark green blades, flat or folded, 2-5mm wide (medium) with a pointed tip. Vernation is rolled. The ligule is a fringe of hairs and auricles are absent.
Root System
Fibrous and relatively shallow; quick to establish from seed. Does not produce significant thatch or a dense sod.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Southern Africa; naturalized in Asia, Australia, and the Americas (subtropical/tropical)
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming), occasionally rooting at nodes when decumbent
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (minimum 6 hours); low to moderate water needs. Excellent drought tolerance; prefers sandy or well-drained rocky soils with neutral to slightly acidic pH.
Mowing & Maintenance
Not traditionally mowed for turf; if managed, height should be 3-4 inches. Low maintenance, though requires control to prevent unwanted seeding and spreading.
Special Characteristics
Distinctive rose-colored panicles; high salt tolerance; high drought recovery; poor wear tolerance; often treated as a weed in disturbed sites.
Ecological Information
Introduced species; considered invasive in Florida, Hawaii, and parts of the Southwest. Highly efficient at colonizing disturbed soils and roadsides. Provides minimal forage for wildlife but may offer seeds for small birds.