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Deer Grass

Muhlenbergia rigens

true

1 gallon ; 5 gallon

Deer Grass

In stock

4'x4'

Sizes:

Deergrass – Muhlenbergia rigens
Also known as: Deer Grass

Deergrass is one of the most beautiful and resilient native California bunchgrasses. Found across the southwestern U.S., including the Mojave and Sonoran deserts, it thrives in sandy or gravelly soils but tolerates a wide range of well-drained soil types. It prefers full sun or part shade but can handle full shade with slower growth.

This robust perennial grass typically forms dense clumps 3 to 5 feet tall, with narrow 2-foot flowering plumes that rise above the foliage, creating a striking, fountain-like appearance. It resembles a small pampas grass but is non-invasive and highly beneficial in habitat gardens.

Historically important to many Native American tribes, the long flower stalks were used for basketry, and the seeds were sometimes ground into food. The common name "Deergrass" refers not to browsing, but to the way deer rest in the protective mounds.

Use it in dry stream beds, street edges, or mass plantings for habitat and structure. It is an ideal native substitute for the invasive Fountain Grass (Pennisetum setaceum) and a foundational species for sustainable landscapes.

Wildlife Value
Host Plant: —
Nectar Source: —
Bird Resources: Nest Sites; Shelter; Seeds
Bird Species: California Quail (Callipepla californica); White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys); Lesser Goldfinch (Spinus psaltria); Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)

Plant Care

Native region:

Local Native; Mojave Desert

Water needs:

Low

Exposure:

Full Sun; Part Shade; Full Shade

Mature size:

4'x4'

Growth rate:

Fast

Flower color:

Cream

Flower season:

Spring - Summer

Pruning:

Cut back in Fall if plant becomes too unruly

Cold Hardiness:

0 Degrees

Nectar-producing:

Attracts pollinators:

Nighttime pollinators:

Butterflies or Moths:

Monarchs:

Larval host:

Yes

Bees:

Bats:

Birds:

Yes

Nest site:

Yes

Nest materials:

Yes

Rabbit-resistant:

Yes

Tortoises:

Yes

Growing Plants in the Desert — Important Information

The information presented here is, to the best of my knowledge, accurate and based on reliable research, personal experience in my own garden, observations from other gardens I’ve visited, and time spent studying plants in their native habitats. I always welcome your feedback and experiences to help me continue educating others!

Cacti:
In my experience, cacti are much happier in filtered shade here in the low desert of the Coachella Valley. Their colors are more vibrant and they tend to bloom more profusely, especially the non-native varieties. If you look closely at how our native barrel cactus and beavertail prickly pear grow in the wild, you’ll often find them tucked among rocks or beneath the shelter of creosote and other shrubs.

⚠️ A note of caution: Cacti and succulents are often illegally collected from the wild, which not only damages plant populations but also disturbs entire ecosystems. In some cases, wild populations of cacti have even gone extinct because of this practice. When purchasing these plants, always be sure they’ve been legally obtained. Look for nursery-grown stock or plants with a native plant certification, and keep that documentation for your records.

Light Requirements:
In our desert (Sonoran/Colorado), “full sun” doesn’t always mean what you might think. Many so-called full-sun plants benefit from and actually appreciate some late-afternoon filtered light—especially during the intense summer months.