Fakahatchee Grass: A Native Florida Grass

Fakahatchee grass, also known as Eastern gamagrass, is a Florida native grass that is frequently used as an accent plant in landscaping. Here's how to make the most of this ornamental grass in your North Central Florida landscape.

What is Fakahatchee Grass?

Fakahatchee grass goes by several names, including Florida gamma grass and Eastern gamma grass. It is a very popular accent grass in Florida-friendly landscaping. Because it is a native plant, it is easy to grow and maintain in Florida's climate and landscapes.

Key characteristics

This ornamental grass grows in clumps reaching 5-6 feet in height and 4-5 feet wide. It has vibrant green foliage and, in Florida, it acts as an evergreen grass. There is a dwarf variety, tripsacum floridana, that grows to around three feet tall.

Fakahatchee grass blooms in spring. Its small, rust-colored flowers are unobtrusive but are an excellent source of nectar for local pollinators. Birds are also attracted to the seeds.

Native distribution

The spiky foliage of Fakahatchee grass is found growing naturally throughout Florida. Its native habitats include pond and river banks, swamps and bogs as well as drier habitats such as flatwoods and scrub.

Importance in the Florida ecosystem

This native plant has several important ecological purposes. It provides cover for small mammals, reptiles and birds. Its seeds are food for birds and deer, and the nectar is a pollinator food source. It is the larval host plant for three species of butterfly:

• Three-spotted skipper
• Clouded skipper
• Byssusskipper

This ornamental grass's complex root system helps to prevent erosion and contributes to healthy soil composition. These features may be beneficial in landscaping. Fakahatchee grass covers a wide area of soil, providing shade and cover that helps to retain moisture for nearby trees and shrubs.

Uses in landscaping

Experts recommend using Fakahatchee grass in your landscape for texture and height variety. It works well beneath palms and other tall trees to soften the landscape. Its moisture-retention properties are helpful here too.

Because it has high moisture tolerance, this evergreen clumping grass is a good choice for rain gardens or for borders that get lots of runoff during heavy rainfall. It can tolerate a small amount of brackish water or salty wind, but should not be subjected to direct salt spray.

Fakahatchee grass works well in containers as well as planted directly in garden beds. It can be used as a patio accent plant or combined with showy flowers to add movement and a verdant background.

Planting and growing Fakahatchee Grass

This fast-growing grass is hardy in Zones 8-10. During cold winter weather it may freeze and die back, but will return in spring. It prefers full sun or partial shade. It can tolerate several soil types but does best in fertile soils.

Fakahatchee grass should be watered frequently when first planted. Once established it becomes more drought tolerant but does best with wet soils as long as they are well-drained. Occasional flooding will not cause problems.

In some cases, this ornamental grass will die back in the middle of large clumps. If this happens, it can be cut back in late spring or summer to promote the growth of healthy new leaves. Once established, it is relatively low-maintenance.

If you would like help incorporating Fakahatchee grass, or other low-maintenance Florida-native plants, into your landscape, LawnMore Gainesville would be happy to help. Get in touch with your friendly local landscaping company for a quote today!

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