Hardy, low-maintenance native grass forming soft, arching clumps to 1m. Perfect for fencelines, under eucalypts, coastal gardens and revegetation.
It is excellent along fence lines and is often found in found in roadside plantings and around commercial buildings.
It is also useful for planting beneath trees, including Eucalypts.
For mass plantings, space at around 50 cm. This a reasonably drought tolerant plant as long as it gets adequate water during winter. P. labillardieri ‘Eskdale’ is reported to more drought tolerant.
At-a-glance Key Details
| Attribute | Details |
| Botanical name | Poa labillardieri – Common Tussock Grass |
| Family | Poaceae |
| Origin | Southeastern Australia Vic, Tas, NSW, Sa, Qld. |
| Climate | Cool to warm temperate; tolerates frost and heat once established |
| Position | Full sun to part shade |
| Soil | Most soil types, from moist creek banks to drier loams; tolerates some salinity |
| Water | Low–moderate once established; more regular moisture during establishment |
| Height | Around 1–1.2 m |
| Spread | Around 0.5–1 m clumps |
| Growth rate | Medium to fast |
| Flowering | Spring–summer, open feathery plumes, green to pale brown/golden |
| Foliage | Fine, arching or weeping, mid-green to blue-green; can straw-off in summer |
| Frost | Tolerant of heavy frosts to around −7 °C |
| Drought | Moderate–high once established; ‘Eskdale’ notably drought tolerant |
| Uses | Mass planting, erosion control, verges, watercourses, revegetation, wildlife habitat |
How To Grow Poa labillardieri
Once planted, the temptation is to substitute low maintenance with no maintenance, and this is where Poa labillardieri needs a little explanation.
Planting and Care
Poa labillardieri grows best in full sun to part shade and tolerates a wide range of soils, from damp stream edges to free-draining loams.
Water:
Moderately drought tolerant once established, but prefers occasional moisture during dry spells—especially in coastal or inland conditions. The cultivar Poa labillardieri ‘Eskdale’ is known for improved drought resilience.
Maintenance:
While low-care, it should not be completely neglected. Every 2–3 years, cut the clump back to ground level in late winter to remove dead foliage and rejuvenate growth. Old material can also be raked or combed out for a tidier look.
Ideal Growing Conditions
- Soil: Moist, well-drained; tolerates clay and sandy soils
- Light: Full sun to light shade
- Water needs: Low to moderate once established
- Frost tolerance: High
- Drought tolerance: Medium
Landscape Uses
- Mass planting for erosion control and soil stabilisation
- Feature grass in native or mixed borders
- Groundcover beneath Eucalypts or other trees
- Roadsides, fencelines, and commercial landscapes
- Useful for coastal plantings and riparian restoration projects
Seasonal Interest
- Summer: Tall, feathery flower plumes appear above the foliage
- Winter: Trim back to renew fresh spring growth
Problems and Notes
- Generally pest and disease-free
- Not considered invasive when maintained
- Occasional dead thatch develops if not cut back regularly
Grower Notes
- Best divided every 3–4 years to maintain vigour
- Suitable for temperate and cool regions; less suited to tropical humidity
- Performs well in Melbourne, Gippsland, coastal NSW, and Tasmanian gardens
- Excellent choice for wildlife gardens, providing shelter for insects and small birds
Our Observations and General Comments
Poa lab is widely used in landscaping, and for good reason, it is very tough grass, that copes with a range of soils. Once established it requires little to no extra water, although it will look better in good soil and with som moisture.
Once planted it forms a neat clump to 60-70cm. The flowers add to the height so in flower it will reach around 100cm.
Two cultivars, ‘Eskdale’ which is said to tidier and it does have finer foliage, and ’Suggan Buggan’ with its bluer and more arching growth habit are worth seeking out, maintenance, growth habit and tolerances are similar, with ‘Eskdale’ said to be more frost tolerant and requiring less maintenance.
Although recommend for mass planting, and we do see this along roadsides, it is best spaced so the neat clumps can be appreciated and avoids what could be called monoculture monotony.
A planting distance of 1m – 1.5m gives Poa lab a chance to add structure
To keep the clumps looking at their best and to avoid the inevitable build up of thatch we cut our clumps back in early spring. Admittedly not every year as if we forget we can always pull out the old dead thatch in early autumn to give them a tidy up. We use rake and our toughest garden gloves, a method widely used to ‘tidy up’ ornamental grasses.
Native Companion Plants
• Shrubs & Structural Plants: Westringia fruticosa (Native Rosemary), Correa species, Dodonaea purpurea (Purple Hop Bush), Acacia fimbriata (Fringed Wattle), Banksia serrata.
• Flowers & Groundcovers: Grevillea (such as ‘Poorinda Royal Mantle’, ‘Gaudi Chaudii’, G. rosmarinifolia), Dianella (Flax Lily), Lomandra (such as ‘Tanika’), Anigozanthos (Kangaroo Paw), Chrysocephalum apiculatum (Yellow Buttons), Carpobrotus (Pig Face).
Where To Buy
470 Monbulk-Silvan Road Monbulk VIC 3793
"Guaranteed mail order flowering bulbs, perennials, roses, trees, landscaping plants, garden accessories and community fundraising Austra lia-wide."
www.gardenexpress.com.au
We Are Asked?
Is Poa labillardieri good for wildlife?
Yes, Poa labillardieri provides shelter and food for insects, butterflies and small birds, making it a useful choice for wildlife-friendly native gardens.
Is Poa labillardieri drought tolerant?
Poa labillardieri is moderately to highly drought tolerant once established, especially in well-drained soils and with deep watering while it’s young
Where can I plant Common Tussock Grass?
Plant Poa labillardieri in full sun to part shade in most soil types; it thrives along watercourses, verges, coastal gardens and beneath light-canopy trees.
Is Poa labillardieri invasive or hard to control?
It is widely used in landscaping and revegetation and isn’t generally considered invasive in gardens, but in pasture systems it can regenerate from small fragments and may need active management.
Is Poa labillardieri good for wildlife?
Yes, Poa labillardieri provides shelter and food for insects, butterflies and small birds, making it a useful choice for wildlife-friendly native gardens.
More Australian Grasses
