Pheasant's Tail Grass (New Zealand wind grass) care

Light

In the wild pheasant's tail grass grows on the bright edge of a forest canopy, not in the canopy and not in the open. Indoors, that translates to within a metre of an unobstructed window, sheer curtain optional. Best autumn colour develops in a full-sun position, but it tolerates light shade; in deep shade the foliage remains green and the plant becomes lax and less ornamental. The fastest test: a hand held at the leaf casts a soft-edged shadow at noon — sharp shadow means too much sun, no shadow means too little light.

Watering

Aim for every 7–14 days in the growing season; minimal in winter for pheasant's tail grass, but treat that as a starting point rather than a rule. A south-facing summer windowsill will dry the pot twice as fast as a north-facing winter room. Lift the pot; if it feels noticeably lighter than it did wet, water it. Drought-tolerant once established; avoid waterlogged conditions, especially in winter, which is the main cause of plant death in the UK and Pacific Northwest.

Soil and pot

Pheasant's Tail Grass grows best in well-drained, moderately fertile, neutral to slightly acidic. Thrives in free-draining sandy or loamy soil; in heavy clay, plant on a slight mound or raised bed and incorporate horticultural grit to prevent winter wet killing the crown. A pot with a working drainage hole is non-negotiable for this species — even free-draining mix will turn soggy in a closed planter. If you love the look of a decorative pot without a hole, use it as a cachepot around an inner nursery pot you can lift out to water.

Humidity and temperature

Pheasant's Tail Grass sits happiest at around Low to moderate (30–60%) humidity and -8°C to 30°C (18°F to 86°F). Adapted to the breezy, moderate-humidity conditions of New Zealand; grows well in coastal UK gardens and is indifferent to atmospheric humidity levels in temperate climates. If you keep the room above year-round and avoid placing the plant near a cold draught, a hot radiator, or an air-conditioning vent, you have already handled the two biggest indoor stressors.

Fertilising

Feed pheasant's tail grass sparingly. Apply a low-nitrogen slow-release fertiliser (e.g., 5-10-10) in spring; excess nitrogen produces overly lush green growth that suppresses the characteristic autumn colour change. Skip fertiliser entirely on a stressed, recently-repotted, or actively wilting plant — fertiliser salts make damage worse, not better. Wait for a round of healthy new growth before resuming a feeding rhythm.

Common problems

Below are the issues we see most often on pheasant's tail grass in the Growli community. Each is annotated with the most common cause so you know where to start.

• Crown rot in wet winters — The primary cause of death in UK and cool-climate gardens is waterlogging during cold, wet winters; ensure excellent drainage and avoid planting in low-lying frost pockets.
• Self-seeding nuisance — Plants self-seed prolifically in warm, sheltered sites; seedlings can become weedy in mild winters — remove spent flower heads before seeds set to control spread.

Propagation

Divide clumps carefully in spring (it resents root disturbance — use a sharp knife and replant promptly); or sow fresh seed in spring at 15–18°C (59–64°F) in a loam-based seed compost. Propagation is the cheapest, most satisfying way to expand a collection — and it doubles as insurance against losing a mature plant to an accident. Take a backup cutting once the parent is established and healthy.

Toxicity to pets

Pheasant's Tail Grass is pet-safe. Anemanthele lessoniana is not listed on the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database as toxic to cats or dogs. No toxic compounds have been identified in this species, and it is widely grown in family and pet-friendly gardens. If you keep cats, dogs, or curious children in the house, weigh placement carefully — a high shelf or a hanging planter is enough for casual safety. For severe ingestion incidents, call your local vet and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (in the US, 888-426-4435).

Pet-safety status is sourced from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, which catalogues the most-asked-about plants for cats, dogs, and horses.

Pheasant's Tail Grass deep-dive guides

Every aspect of pheasant's tail grass care, each with its own calibrated guide:

• Common pheasant's tail grass problems & fixes
• Pheasant's Tail Grass watering schedule
• Pheasant's Tail Grass light requirements
• Best soil mix for pheasant's tail grass
• Pheasant's Tail Grass fertilizing guide
• When to repot pheasant's tail grass
• How to propagate pheasant's tail grass
• How to prune pheasant's tail grass
• What's eating my pheasant's tail grass?
• Pheasant's Tail Grass growth rate & size
• Pheasant's Tail Grass cold hardiness
• Pheasant's Tail Grass temperature & humidity
• Is pheasant's tail grass toxic to cats & dogs?
• Is pheasant's tail grass toxic to cats?
• Is pheasant's tail grass toxic to dogs?
• Getting pheasant's tail grass to bloom

Featured in these plant shortlists

Pheasant's Tail Grass qualifies for 9 curated Growli shortlists — each one filtered objectively from our structured plant-care library, so the selection is consistent and checkable:

• Best pet-safe houseplants — Houseplants the ASPCA lists as non-toxic to cats and dogs — every one verified against the ASPCA toxic and non-toxic plant list.
• Best plants for a north-facing window — Houseplants for a north-facing window: bright, even, indirect light and no scorching direct sun. Each pick verified against its documented light needs.
• Best drought-tolerant houseplants — Houseplants that prefer to dry out — forgiving of forgotten watering and ideal for travel or busy weeks.
• Best flowering houseplants — Indoor plants grown for their blooms — selected from the flowering species in Growli’s plant-care library.
• Best pet-safe low-maintenance plants — Non-toxic to cats and dogs and forgiving of forgotten watering — the easiest safe choices for a busy pet household.
• Best pet-safe flowering plants — Flowering houseplants the ASPCA lists as non-toxic to cats and dogs — colour and blooms in a pet home, without the worry.
• Best pet-safe plants for bright light — Non-toxic to cats and dogs and happy in a bright, sunny spot — safe plants for your best-lit windowsill.
• Best cat-safe plants — Houseplants the ASPCA lists as non-toxic to cats (and dogs) — safe greenery for a home with a curious cat.
• Best dog-safe plants — Houseplants the ASPCA lists as non-toxic to dogs (and cats) — safe greenery for a home with a curious dog.
• Browse all 29 plant shortlists — pet-safe, low-light, drought-tolerant and more

Related guides

Pheasant's Tail Grass is also known as Pheasant's tail grass, New Zealand wind grass, and Gossamer grass.

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