How big does Ruby muhly grow?

About 60 cm × 60 cm after ten years (height × width).

What soil does Ruby muhly grow in?

It tolerates these soils: sandy, calcareous, average garden soil, clay.

Hardy down to -29 °C (USDA zone 4, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

When does Ruby muhly flower?

Flowering: August–November, pink.

How much water does Ruby muhly need?

Water need: low. Drought tolerance: high.

Ruby muhly

Muhlenbergia reverchonii

Ruby muhly (Muhlenbergia reverchonii) is an ornamental grass that reaches 60 cm × 60 cm after ten years. Light: full sun. Hardy down to -29 °C. Drought tolerance: high.

Illustration of Ruby muhly — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

A clump-forming warm-season grass with hair-fine leaves that turns into a pink cloud of flowers in autumn and keeps a good shape through winter. It is much hardier than the better-known pink muhly, but in return it wants full sun, plenty of heat and well-drained soil. It starts late in spring, so do not worry if it looks dead for a long time; cut the old foliage back in late winter. It looks best planted in groups.

Watch out for

No serious pests or diseases. In Central Europe wet is more of a problem than frost: in waterlogged soil that stays soggy in winter the crown rots. In cool or shady spots it flowers poorly and late, since it needs a long, warm summer to bloom. It may self-seed a little where it is happy.

Key facts

Light: Full sun
Water need: Low
Care: Low
Size after 10 years: 60 cm × 60 cm
Hardiness: down to -29 °C
Foliage: Deciduous
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D August–November, pink

Group	Ornamental grass
Light	Full sun
Size after 10 years	60 cm × 60 cm
Ultimate size	45–90 cm × 45–75 cm
Hardiness	down to -29 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Sandy, Calcareous, Average garden soil, Clay
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	August–November, pink
Water need	Low
Drought tolerance	High
Maintenance	Low
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no data
Spreading	Low
Distance from buildings	no data
Distance from paving	no data
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	50 cm
For dogs	no data
For cats	no data
For children	no data
Typical price	no data

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 8, 2026 · How our data is made

Appears in these lists

Ground cover plants Drought-tolerant plants Drought-tolerant plants for sandy soil Ornamental grasses Plants with autumn colour Ornamental grasses with autumn colour

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