How big does Blue lyme grass grow?

About 1.2 m × 3 m after ten years (height × width).

What soil does Blue lyme grass grow in?

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

Is Blue lyme grass hardy?

Hardy down to -34 °C (USDA zone 4, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

When does Blue lyme grass flower?

Flowering: June–August, blue, green.

How much water does Blue lyme grass need?

Water need: low. Drought tolerance: high.

What should I plant instead of Blue lyme grass?

We do not recommend it for most Central European gardens. For a similar purpose we recommend: Blue oat grass, Mexican feather grass, Giant oat grass, Tufted hair grass.

Blue lyme grass

Leymus arenarius

Blue lyme grass (Leymus arenarius) is an ornamental grass that reaches 1.2 m × 3 m after ten years. Light: full sun, part shade. Hardy down to -34 °C. Drought tolerance: high. Sold in local shops from about €6.90. We do not recommend it for most Central European gardens.

Illustration of Blue lyme grass — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

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

A striking, vigorous grass with broad blue-grey leaves that shrugs off drought, wind and salt spray; in nature it is a grass of coastal sand dunes. It belongs only where it is boxed in: a large pot, a sunk bottomless container or a bed fully enclosed by paving, because it spreads very aggressively by long rhizomes. Do not plant it in an open border, a small garden or loose, sandy soil.

We do not recommend this plant

We do not recommend it for most Central European gardens. Further down we show what to plant instead.

Watch out for

It spreads very aggressively by long, deep-running rhizomes, above all in light, sandy soil: within a year or two it runs through the whole bed, swamps its neighbours and regrows from any piece of rhizome left behind, so it is hard to get rid of. What works: a sunk bottomless container or large plastic tub, or a deep rhizome barrier all the way round that also stands proud of the soil; cut off shoots that climb over the rim every year. It also does well in a pot. In dry, heavy clay it runs more slowly but does not stop. It is not native to Central Europe (it is a coastal dune grass of northern and western Europe): in the sand region of central Hungary, stands escaped from gardens form dense, almost pure patches and move into natural sand grassland, so do not plant it at all on sandy land near natural grassland. It is on no official invasive list.

Key facts

Light: Full sun, Part shade
Water need: Low
Care: High
Size after 10 years: 1.2 m × 3 m
Hardiness: down to -34 °C
Foliage: Semi-evergreen
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D June–August, blue, green

Group	Ornamental grass
Light	Full sun, Part shade
Size after 10 years	1.2 m × 3 m
Ultimate size	0.6–1.5 m × 0.6–3 m
Hardiness	down to -34 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Sandy, Average garden soil, Clay, Calcareous
Foliage	Semi-evergreen
Flowering	June–August, blue, green
Water need	Low
Drought tolerance	High
Maintenance	High
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no data
Spreading	High
Distance from buildings	no data
Distance from paving	no data
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	80 cm
For dogs	no data
For cats	no data
For children	no data
Typical price	from about €6.90

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

What to plant instead

Recommended plants that do the same job, with similar characteristics.

Blue oat grass

Helictotrichon sempervirens 90 cm × 75 cm after 10 years

An ornamental grass that forms a steel-blue, porcupine-like dome which keeps its leaves through winter, with tall arching flower stems that ripen to…

Ornamental grass

Full sun

from about €7.90

Mexican feather grass

Nassella tenuissima 60 cm × 60 cm after 10 years

Its hair-fine leaves and airy flower panicles soften perennial borders and work well in containers. Choose a sunny spot with excellent drainage,…

Ornamental grass

Full sun

Part shade

from about €6

Giant oat grass

Stipa gigantea 2 m × 1 m after 10 years

From a low tussock of grey-green leaves it sends up stems to two metres in early summer, carrying oat-like panicles that open purplish and ripen to…

Ornamental grass

Full sun

from about €2.90

Tufted hair grass

Deschampsia cespitosa 1 m × 60 cm after 10 years

Tufted hair grass forms a dense dark green tussock topped in summer by airy clouds of golden and silvery flower panicles that stay decorative into…

Ornamental grass

Full sun

Part shade

from about €4

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
size not stated	approx. €6.90

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 13, 2026 · How our data is made

Looks good next to it

Sea thrift

Armeria maritima

Oregon grape

Mahonia aquifolium

Swedish cotoneaster

Cotoneaster × suecicus