Skip to content

Bear Grass

Xerophyllum Tenax

Design with this plant

Overview

Bear Grass (Xerophyllum tenax) is a hardy perennial noted for its tufted, grass-like foliage and tall, striking white flower spikes, reaching heights up to 5 feet. Preferring well-drained soils and partial to full sun, it's an excellent choice for adding texture and vertical interest to naturalistic landscapes. Its low maintenance and drought tolerance make it ideal for xeriscaping. This North American native attracts pollinators and resists deer.

Sun Full, HalfWater Low, MediumZones 5–9
Bear Grass (Xerophyllum Tenax) — grass-like foliage and tall

Culture

Sun
Full, Half
Water
Low, Medium
USDA zones
5–9

Shape & size

Mature height
1–5 Ft.
Mature width
1–2 Ft.

Classification

See full data, regional cultivation notes, full-resolution photos, and design tools. Build a client presentation around this plant.

Start your 14-day trial

Photos (129)

Bear Grass (Xerophyllum Tenax) — Its preference for acidic soils makes it an excellent companion for rhododendrons and azaleas; bear Grass produces, image 96
Bear Grass (Xerophyllum Tenax) — grass-like foliage and tall; making it a valuable addition to any landscape design, image 102
Bear Grass (Xerophyllum Tenax) — striking white flower spikes; adding a year-round structural presence to garden compositions.<br><br>Every 5 to 7, image 103
Bear Grass (Xerophyllum Tenax) — Bear Grass (Xerophyllum tenax) is a hardy perennial noted for its tufted; reaching heights up to 5 feet, image 101
Bear Grass (Xerophyllum Tenax) — white flowers in the garden; this North American native attracts pollinators and resists deer, image 98
Bear Grass (Xerophyllum Tenax) — grass / perennial with white blooms; bear Grass forms dense clumps that can reach a height of 2 to 4 feet with an, image 99
Bear Grass (Xerophyllum Tenax) — grass / perennial for full or half; bear Grass is an ideal choice for naturalistic landscapes, image 100
Bear Grass (Xerophyllum Tenax) — reaching heights up to 5 feet; grass / perennial for full or half, image 104
Bear Grass (Xerophyllum Tenax) — Preferring well-drained soils and partial to full sun; its low maintenance and drought tolerance make it ideal for, image 105
Bear Grass (Xerophyllum Tenax) — it's an excellent choice for adding texture and vertical interest to naturalistic landscapes; showcasing its, image 106
Bear Grass (Xerophyllum Tenax) — This North American native is not true grass; it's an excellent choice for adding texture and vertical interest to, image 112
Bear Grass (Xerophyllum Tenax) — Its low maintenance and drought tolerance make it ideal for xeriscaping; its preference for acidic soils makes it, image 107
Bear Grass (Xerophyllum Tenax) — This North American native attracts pollinators and resists deer; striking white flower spikes, image 108
Bear Grass (Xerophyllum Tenax) — scientifically known as Xerophyllum tenax; is a perennial herb prized for its resilience and striking appearance, image 109
Bear Grass (Xerophyllum Tenax) — is a perennial herb prized for its resilience and striking appearance; these deep green leaves remain evergreen, image 110
Bear Grass (Xerophyllum Tenax) — making it a valuable addition to any landscape design; grass / perennial with white blooms, image 111
Bear Grass (Xerophyllum Tenax) — but rather belongs to the lily family, image 113
Bear Grass (Xerophyllum Tenax) — showcasing its unique botanical lineage.<br><br>Characteristically; bear Grass thrives in full sun to partial, image 114
Bear Grass (Xerophyllum Tenax) — Its preference for acidic soils makes it an excellent companion for rhododendrons and azaleas; bear Grass produces, image 121
Bear Grass (Xerophyllum Tenax) — Bear Grass produces a stunning floral display - a lofty; preferring well-drained soils and partial to full sun, image 119
Bear Grass (Xerophyllum Tenax) — Bear Grass thrives in full sun to partial shade and is remarkably drought-tolerant once established; this North, image 120
Bear Grass (Xerophyllum Tenax) — Its slender, arching leaves are tough and wiry, spanning 30 to 40 inches in length and less than an inch wide, image 116
Bear Grass (Xerophyllum Tenax) — adding a year-round structural presence to garden compositions.<br><br>Every 5 to 7 years; white flowers in the, image 118
Bear Grass (Xerophyllum Tenax) — These deep green leaves remain evergreen; its slender, arching leaves are tough and wiry, spanning 30 to 40 inches, image 117