Introduction
Overview
New Zealand native grasses are key components of natural and restored ecosystems, providing food and shelter for wildlife, stabilizing soil, and withstanding harsh conditions. Iconic species include Chionochloa rubra (Red Tussock), Austroderia toetoe (Toetoe), and Ficinia spiralis (Pāngao). These grasses are adapted to a range of environments, from alpine meadows to coastal dunes. They are valued in landscaping for their movement, texture, and ability to thrive with minimal maintenance, supporting biodiversity and erosion control. Essential species like Hard Tussock form the backbone of Canterbury and Otago's grasslands, while versatile grasses like Silver Tussock adapt from coastal cliffs to subalpine areas with their distinctive silvery coloration.
New Zealand's native grasses and grass-like plants include a diverse range of species from towering toetoe to compact sedges. These versatile plants add texture, movement, and year-round interest to gardens while providing important ecological functions. Many are drought-tolerant and low-maintenance once established, making them excellent choices for sustainable landscaping.
Dwarf Brown Sedge
Carex petriei
Carex petriei is a tidy New Zealand sedge. Learn identification, habitat and cultivation for dry, sunny, free‑draining sites.
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Southern Snow Tussock
Chionochloa australis
Endemic to northwest South Island, this unique carpet grass forms dense alpine mats instead of tall tussocks, with stems taking 10-15 years to mature.
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Yellow Snow Tussock
Chionochloa flavescens
Chionochloa flavescens is a fine New Zealand tussock. Learn identification, habitat and cultivation for sunny, free‑draining sites.
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Mid-Ribbed Snow Tussock
Chionochloa pallens
Stout metre-tall tussock with pale straw-coloured leaves dominates North Island alpine zones, featuring mid-ribbed blades and open panicles.
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Achnatherum Petriei Grass
Achnatherum petriei
Achnatherum Petriei Grass (Achnatherum petriei) is a New Zealand native grass with a dedicated profile, image credit, and cultivation notes.
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Agrostis Magellanica Grass
Agrostis magellanica
Agrostis Magellanica Grass (Agrostis magellanica) is a New Zealand native grass with a dedicated profile, image credit, and cultivation notes.
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Agrostis Muscosa Grass
Agrostis muscosa
Agrostis Muscosa Grass (Agrostis muscosa) is a New Zealand native grass with a dedicated profile, image credit, and cultivation notes.
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Agrostis Subulata Grass
Agrostis subulata
Agrostis Subulata Grass (Agrostis subulata) is a New Zealand native grass with a dedicated profile, image credit, and cultivation notes.
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Amphibromus Fluitans Grass
Amphibromus fluitans
Amphibromus Fluitans Grass (Amphibromus fluitans) is a New Zealand native grass with a dedicated profile, image credit, and cultivation notes.
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Anthosachne Falcis Grass
Anthosachne falcis
Anthosachne Falcis Grass (Anthosachne falcis) is a New Zealand native grass with a dedicated profile, image credit, and cultivation notes.
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Anthosachne Kingiana Grass
Anthosachne kingiana
Anthosachne Kingiana Grass (Anthosachne kingiana) is a New Zealand native grass with a dedicated profile, image credit, and cultivation notes.
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Anthoxanthum Brunonis Grass
Anthoxanthum brunonis
Anthoxanthum Brunonis Grass (Anthoxanthum brunonis) is a New Zealand native grass with a dedicated profile, image credit, and cultivation notes.
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Austrostipa Stipoides Grass
Austrostipa stipoides
Austrostipa Stipoides Grass (Austrostipa stipoides) is a New Zealand native grass with a dedicated profile, image credit, and cultivation notes.
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Bromus Arenarius Grass
Bromus arenarius
Bromus Arenarius Grass (Bromus arenarius) is a New Zealand native grass with a dedicated profile, image credit, and cultivation notes.
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Chionochloa Antarctica Grass
Chionochloa antarctica
Chionochloa Antarctica Grass (Chionochloa antarctica) is a New Zealand native grass with a dedicated profile, image credit, and cultivation notes.
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Deschampsia Cespitosa Grass
Deschampsia cespitosa
Deschampsia Cespitosa Grass (Deschampsia cespitosa) is a New Zealand native grass with a dedicated profile, image credit, and cultivation notes.
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Deschampsia Chapmanii Grass
Deschampsia chapmanii
Deschampsia Chapmanii Grass (Deschampsia chapmanii) is a New Zealand native grass with a dedicated profile, image credit, and cultivation notes.
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Deschampsia Gracillima Grass
Deschampsia gracillima
Deschampsia Gracillima Grass (Deschampsia gracillima) is a New Zealand native grass with a dedicated profile, image credit, and cultivation notes.
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Digitaria Setigera Grass
Digitaria setigera
Digitaria Setigera Grass (Digitaria setigera) is a New Zealand native grass with a dedicated profile, image credit, and cultivation notes.
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Echinopogon Ovatus Grass
Echinopogon ovatus
Echinopogon Ovatus Grass (Echinopogon ovatus) is a New Zealand native grass with a dedicated profile, image credit, and cultivation notes.
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Eragrostis Leptostachya Grass
Eragrostis leptostachya
Eragrostis Leptostachya Grass (Eragrostis leptostachya) is a New Zealand native grass with a dedicated profile, image credit, and cultivation notes.
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Festuca Luciarum Grass
Festuca luciarum
Festuca Luciarum Grass (Festuca luciarum) is a New Zealand native grass with a dedicated profile, image credit, and cultivation notes.
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Festuca Matthewsii Grass
Festuca matthewsii
Festuca Matthewsii Grass (Festuca matthewsii) is a New Zealand native grass with a dedicated profile, image credit, and cultivation notes.
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Isachne Globosa Grass
Isachne globosa
Isachne Globosa Grass (Isachne globosa) is a New Zealand native grass with a dedicated profile, image credit, and cultivation notes.
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Lachnagrostis Filiformis Grass
Lachnagrostis filiformis
Lachnagrostis Filiformis Grass (Lachnagrostis filiformis) is a New Zealand native grass with a dedicated profile, image credit, and cultivation notes.
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Lachnagrostis Tenuis Grass
Lachnagrostis tenuis
Lachnagrostis Tenuis Grass (Lachnagrostis tenuis) is a New Zealand native grass with a dedicated profile, image credit, and cultivation notes.
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Microlaena Stipoides Grass
Microlaena stipoides
Microlaena Stipoides Grass (Microlaena stipoides) is a New Zealand native grass with a dedicated profile, image credit, and cultivation notes.
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Oplismenus Hirtellus Grass
Oplismenus hirtellus
Oplismenus Hirtellus Grass (Oplismenus hirtellus) is a New Zealand native grass with a dedicated profile, image credit, and cultivation notes.
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Pentapogon Avenoides Grass
Pentapogon avenoides
Pentapogon Avenoides Grass (Pentapogon avenoides) is a New Zealand native grass with a dedicated profile, image credit, and cultivation notes.
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Poa Acicularifolia Grass
Poa acicularifolia
Poa Acicularifolia Grass (Poa acicularifolia) is a New Zealand native grass with a dedicated profile, image credit, and cultivation notes.
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Poa Litorosa Grass
Poa litorosa
Poa Litorosa Grass (Poa litorosa) is a New Zealand native grass with a dedicated profile, image credit, and cultivation notes.
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Poa Subvestita Grass
Poa subvestita
Poa Subvestita Grass (Poa subvestita) is a New Zealand native grass with a dedicated profile, image credit, and cultivation notes.
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Rytidosperma Clavatum Grass
Rytidosperma clavatum
Rytidosperma Clavatum Grass (Rytidosperma clavatum) is a New Zealand native grass with a dedicated profile, image credit, and cultivation notes.
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Rytidosperma Gracile Grass
Rytidosperma gracile
Rytidosperma Gracile Grass (Rytidosperma gracile) is a New Zealand native grass with a dedicated profile, image credit, and cultivation notes.
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Rytidosperma Setifolium Grass
Rytidosperma setifolium
Rytidosperma Setifolium Grass (Rytidosperma setifolium) is a New Zealand native grass with a dedicated profile, image credit, and cultivation notes.
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Rytidosperma Tenue Grass
Rytidosperma tenue
Rytidosperma Tenue Grass (Rytidosperma tenue) is a New Zealand native grass with a dedicated profile, image credit, and cultivation notes.
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Rytidosperma Unarede Grass
Rytidosperma unarede
Rytidosperma Unarede Grass (Rytidosperma unarede) is a New Zealand native grass with a dedicated profile, image credit, and cultivation notes.
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Rytidosperma Viride Grass
Rytidosperma viride
Rytidosperma Viride Grass (Rytidosperma viride) is a New Zealand native grass with a dedicated profile, image credit, and cultivation notes.
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Simplicia Felix Grass
Simplicia felix
Simplicia Felix Grass (Simplicia felix) is a New Zealand native grass with a dedicated profile, image credit, and cultivation notes.
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