Poa cita
Silver Tussock, known as pātītī or wī in Māori, is one of New Zealand's most versatile and beautiful native grasses, forming dense, shimmering tussocks with fine, arching blades that transition from light green-yellow when young to distinctive silver-green and tawny-brown as they mature. This adaptable endemic creates soft, flowing mounds that sway gracefully in the wind and thrives from coastal cliffs to subalpine grasslands throughout New Zealand. With its feathery summer flower heads and remarkable drought tolerance, it has become a favorite for naturalistic gardens, erosion control, and landscape design that captures the essence of New Zealand's diverse grassland heritage. native grasses
Image credit: Silver Tussock (Poa cita). Wikipedia
| Scientific Name | Poa cita |
|---|---|
| Height | 0.3-1.0 meters |
| Spread | 0.6-1.0 meters |
| Water Needs | Low (highly drought-tolerant) |
| Light | Full sun (prefers open situations) |
| Frost Tolerance | Excellent |
| Salt Tolerance | Good (thrives on coastal cliffs) |
| Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Lifespan | Long-lived perennial |
Silver Tussock is exceptionally adaptable throughout New Zealand, thriving from lowland to subalpine environments across the entire country including offshore islands. It performs well in diverse climates from coastal to continental conditions.
| City | Climate Suitability |
|---|---|
| Whangārei | Ideal |
| Auckland | Ideal |
| Hamilton | Ideal |
| Tauranga | Ideal |
| Rotorua | Ideal |
| Gisborne | Ideal |
| New Plymouth | Ideal |
| Napier | Ideal |
| Whanganui | Ideal |
| Palmerston North | Ideal |
| Wellington | Ideal |
| Nelson | Ideal |
| Christchurch | Ideal |
| Dunedin | Ideal |
| Invercargill | Ideal |
Silver Tussock adapts to various soil conditions:
Prefers bright, open conditions:
Extremely low water needs:
This versatile native plant offers multiple practical applications in landscaping and garden design, from providing ground cover and erosion control to creating habitat for native wildlife. The plant's natural characteristics make it valuable for restoration projects and sustainable gardening practices.
Silver Tussock requires minimal maintenance:
The natural silvery tussock form and graceful movement are the main attractions, so minimal intervention produces the best ornamental effect.
The best time to plant Silver Tussock is during spring or early autumn when temperatures are moderate and establishment is easier.
Choose a site with:
Water occasionally during the first growing season to establish roots. Once established, this extremely hardy grass thrives on minimal care and actually prefers dry conditions.
Growing Silver Tussock from seed is straightforward:
Division is possible with established tussocks:
Silver Tussock self-seeds readily in suitable conditions, naturally establishing new plants without becoming invasive or problematic.
Silver Tussock (Poa cita) represents the remarkable adaptability and widespread distribution of New Zealand's endemic grass flora:
Today, Silver Tussock serves as an excellent example of successful native plant adaptation to cultivation, providing gardeners with a versatile, low-maintenance grass that brings the beauty and resilience of New Zealand's natural grasslands to designed landscapes.
Ensure excellent drainage and avoid overwatering. This exceptionally hardy grass is largely disease-resistant when grown in appropriate conditions. Regular monitoring is usually sufficient for the rare cases of minor pest issues.
Use Silver Tussock to create stunning mass plantings that capture the essence of New Zealand's natural grasslands - the swaying movement and silvery coloration create a mesmerizing "sea of grass" effect. It's perfect for challenging sites where other plants struggle: steep slopes, poor soils, windy coastal locations, and areas with minimal maintenance. Try combining with other native tussock grasses at different heights to create layered, naturalistic landscapes. The plant actually looks better with age as it develops the characteristic silvery-tawny coloration, so patience is rewarded with increasing beauty.
Learn more about New Zealand's diverse grassland heritage in Grasses & Flaxes.
This section provides important information about plant care and cultivation practices. Understanding these aspects helps ensure successful growth and development in garden conditions.
This section provides important information about plant care and cultivation practices. Understanding these aspects helps ensure successful growth and development in garden conditions.
This section provides important information about plant care and cultivation practices. Understanding these aspects helps ensure successful growth and development in garden conditions.
This section provides important information about plant care and cultivation practices. Understanding these aspects helps ensure successful growth and development in garden conditions.
Silver tussock serves as a dominant species in New Zealand's montane and inland grasslands, creating essential habitat structure and supporting diverse communities of endemic insects, lizards, and birds that depend on tussock grassland ecosystems. The deep root systems help prevent soil erosion and contribute to soil carbon storage, while the tussocks provide shelter and nesting sites for native wildlife. The species' ability to tolerate harsh inland conditions makes it crucial for maintaining the unique biodiversity of New Zealand's grassland environments.
This section provides important information about plant care and cultivation practices. Understanding these aspects helps ensure successful growth and development in garden conditions.
This section provides important information about plant care and cultivation practices. Understanding these aspects helps ensure successful growth and development in garden conditions.
Silver tussock faces ongoing conservation challenges from agricultural conversion, overgrazing by introduced mammals, and invasion by exotic weeds that compete for resources in tussock grassland environments. Many of New Zealand's original tussock grasslands have been converted or severely modified, fragmenting populations and reducing habitat quality. Conservation efforts focus on protecting remaining intact tussock grasslands, managing grazing pressure, controlling invasive species, and restoring degraded grassland ecosystems where silver tussock can fulfill its essential ecological roles.
This plant has cultural associations in Aotearoa and is valued in restoration and gardens for ecological services; use eco‑sourced stock near natural areas.
Silver tussock was an important component of traditional Māori landscapes, particularly in inland and montane areas where it dominated extensive grasslands that were managed through traditional burning practices to maintain open hunting grounds and travel routes. The distinctive silvery appearance of the grass made it recognizable in the landscape, while its presence indicated specific environmental conditions important for seasonal resource management and navigation. The species remains culturally significant as a symbol of New Zealand's distinctive tussock grassland heritage.
This section provides important information about plant care and cultivation practices. Understanding these aspects helps ensure successful growth and development in garden conditions.
This section provides important information about plant care and cultivation practices. Understanding these aspects helps ensure successful growth and development in garden conditions.
