Grass
Dwarf Fakahatchee Grass
Tripsacum floridanum
Varieties We Carry
StandardTripsacum floridanumDwarfTripsacum floridanum
Sizes & Pricing
1 galFrom$6.95
3 galFrom$14.95
Fresh this week. Last restocked Mar 11.
LightFull Sun, Part Sun
WaterModerate
Mature size2-3 feet × 2-4 feet
About Dwarf Fakahatchee Grass
Dwarf Fakahatchee Grass (Tripsacum floridanum) is a compact, clumping Florida native bunch grass that forms graceful mounds of narrow, arching green blades typically 2–3 feet tall and wide. Tolerant of drought, flooding, and a wide range of soils, it is an adaptable, low-maintenance choice for naturalistic NE Florida landscapes and is listed as a threatened species in Florida. Starting at $6.95.
Plant details
- Bloom Season
- Fall
- Flower Color
- White, Pink, Yellow
- Growth Rate
- Moderate
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Soil
- Sandy, Loam, Well-drained, Wet
Best planting months
Recommended forZone 9b · St. Augustine, FL
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Seasonal care
Bloom season. Good planting window.
Active growing season.
Growth slows as temperatures cool.
Retains foliage through winter.
Care essentials
Light
Dwarf Fakahatchee Grass grows best in full sun to part shade. In NE Florida it adapts readily to a range of exposures but produces the most vigorous clumps with at least 4–6 hours of direct sun; it also tolerates the light shade beneath taller plantings.
Water
This Florida native tolerates both drought and periodic flooding once established, making it highly adaptable to NE Florida's variable rainfall. Water regularly during the first season to establish roots; after that, supplemental irrigation is rarely needed except during severe drought.
Soil & Fertilizer
Grows in a wide range of soils from dry sandy uplands to moist clay or wet areas — a key advantage in NE Florida landscapes. No fertilizer is needed in most sites; in very lean sandy soils, a single light application of balanced slow-release fertilizer in spring supports establishment. Divide large clumps every 3–4 years in spring to maintain vigor. Note: this species is listed as threatened in Florida.
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Common questions
Is Dwarf Fakahatchee Grass a good plant for St. Augustine?
Dwarf Fakahatchee Grass is a grass for Zone 9b coastal Florida gardens, reaching 2-3 feet × 2-4 feet.
Care information verified from
Last reviewed March 2026. Our care guidance comes from trusted horticulture sources and decades of helping St. Augustine gardeners. Conditions here can vary dramatically from one area to the next, so come ask us and we'll tailor it to your yard.