Heirloom

Hare's Tail Grass

Lagurus ovatus

Wikimedia Commons

Charming, annual ornamental grass grown for its fuzzy, "bunny tail" blooms. 1 1/2-2" long oval, woolly blooms resemble a rabbit's tail. Flowers sit well above a clump of compact, light green grass. Very easy to dry. Holds well when dried; accepts dye readily. Developing flower heads are light green, maturing creamy white to soft wheat in color. Also known as bunny tail grass and rabbit tail grass.

Harvest

90-110d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun

☀️

Zones

4–10

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

12-24 inches

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Transplant

Direct Sow

Transplant

Direct Sow

Showing dates for Hare's Tail Grass in USDA Zone 7

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Zone Map

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Hare's Tail Grass · Zones 4–10

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Moderate

Spacing12-18 inches

SoilWell-drained soil

WaterModerate; drought tolerant once established

SeasonWarm season annual

ColorCreamy white to soft wheat

Size1 1/2-2"

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	—	June – August	May – July	—
Zone 4	—	June – July	April – June	—
Zone 5	—	May – July	April – June	—
Zone 6	—	May – July	April – June	—
Zone 7	—	May – June	March – May	—
Zone 8	—	April – June	March – May	—
Zone 9	—	March – May	February – April	—
Zone 10	—	March – April	January – March	—

Succession Planting

Hare's Tail is a warm-season annual grown primarily for its seed heads, and each plant produces one main flush — there's no deadheading trick that keeps it churning out new ones the way a cutting flower does. A single follow-up sowing, about 3–4 weeks after your first, can extend the harvest window for dried arrangements and gives you a backup if the first round germinates poorly. Direct sow the first batch when soil hits 55°F (roughly March in zones 7–8, late April in zone 5), then a second round 3–4 weeks later.

Beyond two sowings, the payoff drops sharply. Later plantings often catch up to earlier ones once summer heat accelerates growth, so a third sowing rarely buys you a meaningfully different harvest date — just more crowding to manage.

Complete Growing Guide

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day). Soil: Loam (Silt), Sand. Drainage: Good Drainage. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 0 ft. 10 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.. Growth rate: Rapid. Propagation: Seed.

Harvesting

Hare's Tail Grass reaches harvest at 90 - 110 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds. Expect 1 1/2-2" at peak. As an annual, harvest continues until frost ends the season.

Type: Caryopsis.

Storage & Preservation

Hare's Tail Grass is prized for drying rather than fresh storage. Once blooms reach full maturity (creamy white to wheat color), cut stems and hang upside down in a cool, dry location with good air circulation for 1-2 weeks. Dried stems maintain their shape and softness indefinitely when kept in a dry environment away from humidity and direct sunlight. Store in airtight containers or vases. Preservation methods: air-drying (most common), pressing between newspaper layers, or drying with silica gel for accelerated drying. Dried bunny tails accept dye readily, allowing customization for floral arrangements and crafts. Fresh stems in water last 1-2 weeks.

History & Origin

Origin: Macaronesia, Mediterranean to Arabian Peninsula

Advantages

+Produces charming fuzzy blooms that resemble adorable rabbit tails.
+Excellent for dried flower arrangements and crafts with great longevity.
+Accepts dyes readily, allowing creative color customization for decorative uses.
+Compact growth habit makes it suitable for small garden spaces.
+Blooms develop beautiful color progression from green to creamy white.

Considerations

-Annual plant requires replanting each year, not a perennial option.
-Prefers well-drained soil and struggles in wet or poorly drained areas.
-Moderate difficulty level means less forgiving than easier ornamental grasses.
-Can self-seed aggressively in warm climates, potentially becoming invasive.

Companion Plants

The best companions for Hare's Tail are plants that share its preference for lean, well-drained soil and full sun without competing aggressively for water. Lavender, Catmint, and Russian Sage all fit that profile. They have similarly modest water needs, their roots don't scramble into the same shallow zone, and their upright, airy habits contrast well with the pale, bobble-headed seed heads without blocking light. Sedum and Lamb's Ear work for the same reasons — low water demand, a spreading habit that stays low enough to leave the grass unshaded, and a texture that plays off the fluffy heads. Black-eyed Susan and Echinacea add a practical benefit: both attract hoverflies and parasitic wasps that keep aphid pressure down across the whole planting, and their bloom times overlap enough with Hare's Tail's late-season display that the combination isn't just functional — it actually looks intentional.

Mint is the obvious problem plant. It spreads by underground rhizomes and will physically take over the root zone of anything nearby within a single season, and it wants consistently moist soil — the opposite of what Hare's Tail needs. Hostas and Impatiens fail for a different reason: both are shade-and-moisture plants, so pairing either one with Hare's Tail means one of them is going to be in the wrong conditions entirely. No allelopathic chemistry at play with those two — it's a straight cultural mismatch, and no amount of creative placement fixes it.

Plant Together

Lavender

Both thrive in well-draining soil and create complementary textures in ornamental gardens

Sedum

Similar drought tolerance and low maintenance requirements, excellent for rock gardens

Black-eyed Susan

Provides colorful contrast while sharing similar sun and soil requirements

Ornamental Alliums

Complementary growth habits and bloom times, both attractive to beneficial insects

Catmint

Similar drought tolerance and creates nice textural contrast with grass plumes

Russian Sage

Both prefer dry conditions and create beautiful late-season garden interest

Lamb's Ear

Contrasting foliage textures work well together in xeriscape designs

Echinacea

Provides structural contrast and both attract beneficial pollinators

Keep Apart

Mint

Aggressive spreading nature can overwhelm ornamental grasses and compete for space

Hostas

Conflicting moisture and light requirements - hostas need shade and consistent moisture

Impatiens

Require consistently moist soil conditions that conflict with grass's drought preferences

Troubleshooting Hare's Tail Grass

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

Seedlings damping off at soil level — stems pinching and collapsing within the first 2 weeks after germination

Likely Causes

Pythium or Fusarium damping-off fungi, usually triggered by overwatering or poor drainage
Sowing too thickly so stems can't dry between waterings

What to Do

1.Water only when the top inch of soil is dry; don't keep seedlings consistently moist
2.Thin to at least 2 inches apart as soon as the first true leaves appear — crowded stems stay wet too long
3.If you're starting in trays, use a soilless seed-starting mix and make sure containers drain freely

Established plants flopping over or lodging — stems leaning heavily by midsummer

Likely Causes

Excess nitrogen from over-fertilizing, which pushes soft, weak stem growth
Shade from nearby taller plants reducing light below the 6-hour minimum

What to Do

1.Don't fertilize Hare's Tail in lean soil unless plants are visibly stunted — it doesn't need feeding the way vegetables do
2.Move neighboring plants or cut back any overhang so the grass gets direct sun for at least 6 hours
3.If lodging happens every year in the same spot, stake with bamboo canes or resite the planting

Fluffy seed heads turning brown and shriveling before fully forming, typically around day 80–90

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew (Erysiphe graminis) — common in warm, humid conditions with poor airflow
Spider mite feeding on the stems and developing heads during hot, dry spells

What to Do

1.Space plants at least 12 inches apart to keep air moving between them
2.Check the undersides of leaves for fine webbing — if spider mites are present, knock them off with a strong water spray on two or three consecutive mornings
3.Cut heads for drying around day 80 if mildew is a recurring problem; they hold their shape well at that stage

Poor germination — sparse or no sprouts after 14 days from direct sow

Likely Causes

Soil temperature below 55°F at sowing time, which slows germination significantly
Seed buried too deep — Lagurus ovatus needs light to germinate and shouldn't be covered more than 1/8 inch
Old seed stock losing viability

What to Do

1.Wait until soil temps reliably hit 55–65°F before sowing; in most zones that means late March at the earliest
2.Press seed lightly into the surface and cover with just a dusting of fine soil or vermiculite — no more than 1/8 inch
3.Test any seed older than 2 years: wrap 10 seeds in a damp paper towel, seal in a bag, and check after 10 days

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take Hare's Tail Grass to flower from planting?▼

Hare's Tail Grass typically takes 90-110 days from planting to harvest-ready blooms. Germination occurs in 7-10 days under ideal conditions. The developing flower heads begin as light green and mature to creamy white or soft wheat color over several weeks, making them ready for drying or display.

Is Hare's Tail Grass good for beginners?▼

Yes, Hare's Tail Grass is very beginner-friendly. It's a moderate-difficulty annual that thrives in full sun with minimal care requirements. The fuzzy blooms are nearly impossible to fail—they're easy to grow, simple to dry, and forgiving of most growing conditions, making them perfect for first-time grass growers.

Can you grow Hare's Tail Grass in containers?▼

Absolutely. Hare's Tail Grass grows well in containers, pots, or garden beds. The compact clump of light green grass doesn't require much space. Use well-draining potting soil and ensure the container receives at least 6 hours of full sun daily. Container growing actually simplifies drying harvested stems.

When should I plant Hare's Tail Grass seeds?▼

Direct sow seeds after your last spring frost date, or start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost and transplant outdoors when soil is warm. This annual prefers warm soil temperatures. Space plants 12-18 inches apart to allow the compact grass clumps room to develop.

What makes Hare's Tail Grass so good for dried arrangements?▼

Hare's Tail Grass is exceptional for drying because the fuzzy, oval flower heads hold their shape perfectly and remain soft indefinitely. The blooms readily accept dyes, allowing custom color customization. Their delicate, bunny-tail appearance adds whimsical texture to dried floral designs, wreaths, and craft projects year-round.

How should I harvest Hare's Tail Grass for drying?▼

Harvest stems when flower heads have matured to creamy white or soft wheat color, typically around the 90-110 day mark. Cut stems with sharp scissors, leaving some foliage on the plant. Bundle stems loosely and hang upside down in a cool, dark, dry location with good air circulation for 1-2 weeks until completely dry.