Heirloom

Savannah Grass

Melinis nerviglumis

Wikimedia Commons

This late-season grass is the perfect color for late summer and fall arrangements, containers, and garden beds. 3-6" long, gracefully arched, rose gold to dusty rose plumes can be used as fresh or dried cut flowers. Panicles lighten in color when dried but maintain a rosy hue. 18-24" stems float above the compact, mounded grass clumps, making them easy to pluck from the plants. The thin stems are best suited for design work and are not recommended for when something sturdy is needed. Very attractive in the garden or in containers with sage-green, compact plants and rosy, sparkling plumes that dance in the light. Tender perennial in Zones 9-10, but typically grown as an annual. Also known as ruby grass, pink bubble grass, mountain red top, bristle-leaved red top.

Harvest

100-120d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun

☀️

Zones

3–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

18-24 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 Savannah Grass in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 grass →

Zone Map

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Savannah Grass · Zones 3–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Moderate

Spacing12-18 inches

SoilWell-drained soil, tolerates average fertility

WaterRegular watering until established, then moderate

SeasonTender Perennial

ColorRose gold to dusty rose

Size3-6"

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	—
Zone 11	—	February – March	January – February	—

Complete Growing Guide

Growing Savannah Grass (Melinis nerviglumis) grass. Light: Full sun. Days to maturity: 100. Difficulty: Moderate.

Harvesting

Savannah Grass reaches harvest at 100 - 120 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds. Expect 3-6" at peak.

This is an ornamental variety — not grown for harvest. Enjoy in the garden landscape.

Storage & Preservation

For fresh arrangement storage, keep Savannah Grass stems in a cool location (65-70°F) away from direct sunlight and ripening fruit. Use a vase with 2-3 inches of water and replace water every 2-3 days; fresh arrangements last 7-10 days. For dried preservation, hang bundles upside-down in a warm, dry, well-ventilated area for 2-3 weeks until fully dried. Store dried stems in a cool, dark place in airtight containers with silica gel to maintain color and prevent moisture absorption. Alternatively, preserve by pressing stems between newspaper under weights, or glycerin-treat for flexibility and longevity in arrangements.

History & Origin

Melinis nerviglumis is a species of grass known by the common names mountain red top or bristle-leaved red top. The Latin name refers to the veined glume. It is native from tropical to southern Africa, the western Indian Ocean islands, and Indochina. It is cultivated as a garden ornamental due to its colourful purple flowers. The flowers are produced in summer and fade to white as they mature. By this time the seeds can be harvested for new plantings.

Advantages

+Stunning rose-gold plumes perfect for late summer and fall arrangements.
+Works beautifully as both fresh and dried cut flowers without fading.
+Long, graceful stems float above compact clumps for easy harvesting.
+Attractive mounding form complements sage-green plants and container gardens.
+Moderate difficulty makes it accessible for intermediate gardeners.

Considerations

-Thin, delicate stems unsuitable for sturdy floral design work.
-Tender perennial requiring replanting annually in most climates.
-100-120 day growing season limits use in short-season regions.

Companion Plants

Leguminous shrubs and clover fix atmospheric nitrogen into the soil, giving Melinis nerviglumis a slow fertility trickle without any added fertilizer — a natural match for a grass that evolved in nutrient-lean savannah conditions. Native wildflowers and prairie sage share its preference for well-drained, low-input sites and won't muscle it out once everyone's established. Skip Kikuyu grass (Pennisetum clandestinum) and Lantana — both spread aggressively enough to collapse a clump within a single growing season — and keep Eucalyptus well away, since its leaf litter contains allelopathic compounds that suppress understory root development in ornamental grasses.

Plant Together

Leguminous shrubs

Fix nitrogen in soil, improving grass nutrition and growth

Acacia trees

Provide partial shade and wind protection while allowing grass growth underneath

Native wildflowers

Attract beneficial insects and pollinators, support ecosystem diversity

Clover

Fixes nitrogen naturally and creates beneficial plant community

Prairie sage

Complements grass in natural ecosystem, helps with soil stability

Native sedges

Similar growing conditions, creates diverse grassland habitat

Baobab trees

Deep taproot doesn't compete with grass, provides wildlife habitat

Indigenous herbs

Natural companions in savannah ecosystem, support soil health

Keep Apart

Pine trees

Acidifies soil and creates dense shade unsuitable for savannah grass

Kikuyu grass

Aggressive invasive species that outcompetes native savannah grasses

Lantana

Invasive shrub that forms dense thickets, crowding out native grasses

Eucalyptus

Allelopathic compounds inhibit grass germination and growth

Troubleshooting Savannah Grass

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

Clumps thinning out or dying back in patches after the first winter, even in zone 7 or warmer

Likely Causes

Prolonged wet, waterlogged soil through winter — Melinis nerviglumis tolerates drought but is sensitive to standing moisture at the crown
Planting in heavy clay that holds water at the root crown through freeze-thaw cycles

What to Do

1.Cut the clump back to 4-6 inches in late winter and check whether the crown is mushy — if it is, dig it out and improve drainage before replanting
2.Amend planting beds with coarse sand or fine gravel to open up clay soils before the next round goes in
3.In zones 3-6, treat it as an annual or bring divisions inside before first frost

Seedlings germinating unevenly — sparse patches 14+ days after direct sowing, even with adequate water

Likely Causes

Soil temperature below 65°F at sowing time — Melinis nerviglumis needs warm soil to germinate reliably
Seed buried too deep; this grass wants surface contact or no more than 1/8 inch of cover

What to Do

1.Check soil temp with a probe thermometer before sowing — wait until it reads at least 65°F consistently
2.Press seed lightly into the surface and mist rather than watering heavily, which washes seed into uneven low spots
3.If spring is running cool, start seed indoors 6-8 weeks early at 70-75°F and transplant out in May once nights stay above 50°F

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do fresh Savannah Grass arrangements last?▼

Fresh Savannah Grass stems typically last 7-10 days in a vase with fresh water changed every 2-3 days. Keeping them in a cool location (65-70°F) and away from direct sunlight extends their life. The delicate stems are best used immediately after cutting for optimal appearance and longevity in arrangements.

Can you grow Savannah Grass in containers?▼

Yes, Savannah Grass grows beautifully in containers. The compact, mounded growth habit makes it ideal for pots and planters. It pairs particularly well with sage-green, compact foliage plants. Ensure containers have drainage holes, use quality potting soil, and provide full sun for best color development and plume formation.

When should I plant Savannah Grass?▼

Plant Savannah Grass after the last spring frost as a tender annual, or in fall in Zones 9-10 where it may overwinter. Sow seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost date, or direct sow after frost danger passes. For late-season blooms, plant in early summer for harvest in late summer and fall arrangements.

How do you dry Savannah Grass for long-term use?▼

Hang-dry bundles upside-down in a warm, well-ventilated, dark area for 2-3 weeks until fully dried. The rosy plumes lighten slightly during drying but retain their distinctive hue. Store dried stems in airtight containers with silica gel in a cool, dark place. Properly dried stems last for months and are excellent for winter arrangements.

Is Savannah Grass good for beginners?▼

Savannah Grass is rated moderate difficulty, making it suitable for beginners with some experience. It requires full sun, regular watering during establishment, and well-drained soil. The tender annual nature means replanting yearly in most zones, but the visual payoff of graceful rose-gold plumes makes it worthwhile for designers and gardeners seeking late-season color.

What's the difference between fresh and dried Savannah Grass plumes?▼

Fresh plumes have vibrant rose-gold to dusty rose color and maintain their graceful arch over 7-10 days in water. Dried plumes lighten in color but maintain a lovely rosy hue and last indefinitely, making them ideal for permanent arrangements. Both fresh and dried forms work beautifully in design, though dried stems are more fragile than fresh.