Does Bunny Tail Grass Come Back Every Year? A Guide to Growing This Charming Ornamental Grass

Bunny tail grass, also known as Lagurus ovatus, is a delightful ornamental grass that adds texture and visual interest to gardens. Its fluffy creamy seed heads resemble cute little bunny tails, giving this plant its common name If you’re considering adding this adorable grass to your garden, you may be wondering – does bunny tail grass come back every year?

The simple answer is no Bunny tail grass is an annual plant, not a perennial That means the plants complete their entire lifecycle in one growing season. Annuals germinate, grow, flower, set seed, and die all within a single year. Perennials, on the other hand, come back year after year once established.

So bunny tail grass will not come back on its own in subsequent years. You’ll need to replant it from seed each spring if you want to have it in your garden. That said, bunny tail grass does self-seed readily. So if you allow some of the seed heads to mature and drop their seeds, you may find new bunny tail grass seedlings popping up the following spring. But the original plants will not return.

Read on to learn more about bunny tail grass and how to grow it successfully, even though it is an annual.

About Bunny Tail Grass

Bunny tail grass is an annual warm season grass native to the Mediterranean region. It grows 8-20 inches tall and spreads 12-16 inches wide. The foliage is green and grassy, but the real showstoppers are the seed heads that emerge in late spring through midsummer.

These seed heads are fuzzy panicles that start out pale green before maturing to a glowing white. As summer progresses they take on a creamy beige color. The seed heads are oval-shaped and fluffy, resembling cute little cotton ball bunny tails. That’s how this grass got its common name.

In addition to bunny tail grass, this plant is also known as hare’s tail grass, rabbit’s tail grass, and Turk’s head grass. There are a few varieties to choose from as well, including a dwarf cultivar that maxes out at 10 inches tall.

Late spring to midsummer is when it blooms. Once the panicles go to seed, the wind tends to tear them up. Bunny tail grass is low maintenance and drought tolerant once established, making it an easy and appealing ornamental grass for gardens.

Growing Zones for Bunny Tail Grass

Because of its native environment, bunny tail grass prefers warmth to cold. For this reason, it is the perfect plant to grow in USDA hardiness zones between 8 and 10, where it can grow as a perennial.

In other parts of the country, this plant will grow as an annual, as it won’t survive the low winter temperatures. But you can enjoy it for a single season in zones 4-10 before replanting again the next year.

How to Grow Bunny Tail Grass From Seed

Bunny tail grass is easy to grow from seed. The best way is to direct sow the seeds in your garden in the spring after your last frost. Plant the seeds 1⁄4 inch deep and keep them well watered. They should germinate in 2 – 3 weeks.

Thin the seedlings to 12 inches apart. You can also start your seeds indoors 6 – 8 weeks before your last frost.

When growing bunny tail grass, it’s important to give the plants plenty of sun. This plant does better under full sun conditions. Plant it somewhere it will receive at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. Avoid planting your bunny tail grass in the shade, especially if you are starting it from seeds. Inadequate lighting will inhibit its growth.

Well-draining soil is ideal for bunny tails. Sandy soil is great, but it will tolerate most soil types provided drainage is good. Avoid wet, soggy conditions. Space transplants or seed clusters 10-12 inches apart to allow for mature size.

Bunny tail grass care is minimal. Water moderately until established. Mature plants are quite drought tolerant for an ornamental grass. Fertilize lightly in spring if desired, but these grasses are not heavy feeders. Sit back and enjoy their delightful fluffy blooms all season long!

Caring for Bunny Tail Grass

Follow good bunny tail grass care practices once plants are mature. This plant is not fussy about much, but it does require moderate to bright light and well-drained soil. Here are some tips:

• Water deeply after planting, then allow the soil to dry out before watering again. Avoid constantly soggy soil.

• Fertilize very lightly, if at all, to avoid excessive floppiness.

• Remove spent seed heads to encourage more blooms and prevent unwanted self-seeding.

• Cut plants back in late fall once they have died back for the winter.

• Remove plant debris and work compost into beds at the end of the season.

Take advantage of bunny tail grass’s natural drought tolerance and low maintenance habits. Just a little attention is all this plant needs to thrive and give you a bounty of adorable blooms.

Can Bunny Tail Grass Be Overwintered?

Unfortunately, bunny tail grass cannot be overwintered since it’s an annual. However, you may get some self-seeded plants the following spring depending on your climate and how many seed heads were allowed to mature and drop seeds.

To encourage self-seeding:

• Leave some spent seed heads on the plants in fall rather than cutting all of them.

• Allow plants to die back naturally in the garden rather than pulling them out.

• Hold off on fall cleanup where bunny tail grass grew until after hard frost.

There are no guarantees, but bunny tail grass often does self-sow when given the chance. These self-seeded plants will give you free bunny tails the next year without having to replant.

Using Bunny Tail Grass in the Garden

There are lots of creative ways to showcase bunny tail grass in your garden:

• Plant in groups or clusters for maximum impact.

• Edge a pathway or border for a soft touchable texture.

• Mix with spring annuals and bulbs in flower beds and containers.

• Let it self-seed in areas where you don’t mind naturalization.

• Tuck into any empty pockets or gaps for interest.

• Highlight it in rock gardens, xeriscapes, or Mediterranean gardens.

• Grow dwarf cultivars in window boxes and small pots.

• Line your vegetable garden with bunny tail grass for ornamental appeal.

• Plant it around the bases of roses or trellised vines.

With its compact rounded shape and neutral grassy color, bunny tail grass complements most garden styles. Feel free to get creative with it!

Troubleshooting Bunny Tail Grass Issues

Growing bunny tail grass is usually problem-free, but occasionally issues can crop up:

• Plants failed to germinate – Old seed can have poor germination. Ensure your seed is fresh and sprout it indoors first if in doubt.

• Seed heads are small – Insufficient sunlight or overcrowding can cause stunted bloom size. Give bunny tails ample sun and space.

• Foliage is floppy – Overfertilization and excessive moisture or shade can cause floppiness. Allow soil to dry out between watering and use less fertilizer.

• No self-seeding occurred – Not allowing seed heads to mature on the plants, or cleaning up the garden too soon, can prevent self-sowing.

• Self-seeded too aggressively – To reduce self-seeding, cut off spent seed heads before they open and drop seeds. Also clean up debris promptly after plants die back.

With proper growing conditions and care, bunny tail grass problems should be minimal. Address any issues right away to get your plants back to peak performance.

The Allure of Bunny Tail Grass

While bunny tail grass must be replanted each year, its fast growth, low care needs, and delightful puffy blooms make it well worth adding to the garden. When spring rolls around, consider picking up a packet of seeds or flats of young bunny tail grass plants. In just a few weeks, you’ll have a charming patch of fuzzy blooms to enjoy all season!

The fleeting nature of this annual grass is part of its charm. You can change where you plant it each year for fun variety. Let some seed heads mature on spent plants to potentially get free self-seeded bunny tails the following season.

For gardeners who want fast color that’s ultra easy to grow, bunny tail grass checks all the boxes. The fact that it must be replanted annually isn’t necessarily a downside when you consider all the positives. Add a dose of whimsy and touchable texture to your garden with delightful bunny tail grass. Your inner child and your inner bunny will thank you!