Also known as: Wallaby Grasses, Australian Native Tussock Grasses

A range of species fall under the common name Wallaby Grass, and they’re excellent choices as ornamental grasses for borders, planted in clumps, or even as hardy lawn substitutes in Australian gardens.

These evergreen tussocks vary in height and form, yet they share impressive toughness—they handle frost, drought, heat, and a wide variety of soil types with ease. You’ll find them growing naturally across much of Victoria, New South Wales, southern Queensland, parts of South Australia, Tasmania, and the southwest of Western Australia.

Beyond serving as a possible lawn alternative, these grasses excel at erosion control on slopes or disturbed sites. Once they settle in, they suppress weeds effectively and work well planted between fruit trees or vines to keep soil stable and reduce competition.

Quick Facts

Feature	Details
Botanical name	Rytidosperma spp.
Former botanical name	Austrodanthonia spp.
Common names	Wallaby Grass, Wallaby Grasses
Plant type	Evergreen native perennial tussock grass
Family	Poaceae (Grass family)
Origin	Australia
Height	15 cm to 1 metre, depending on species
Spread	20–60 cm
Foliage	Fine, narrow grey-green to green leaves
Flowers	Cream to silvery seed heads on slender stems
Flowering season	Mainly spring to early summer
Position	Full sun to part shade
Soil	Well-drained sandy, loamy or clay soils
Water requirements	Low once established
Frost tolerance	Excellent
Drought tolerance	Excellent
Uses	Native gardens, revegetation, erosion control, meadows, low-input lawns

How to Identify Wallaby Grass

Although individual species vary, Wallaby Grasses share several features that make them relatively easy to recognise.

Most species grow as neat evergreen tussocks rather than spreading aggressively by runners or rhizomes. Their leaves are narrow, fine and often slightly rolled, giving the plants a soft, delicate appearance despite their remarkable toughness.

During spring and early summer, slender flowering stems rise above the foliage carrying airy seed heads that range from cream to silvery brown. As the seed matures, these flower heads sway gracefully in the breeze, adding movement and texture to native gardens.

Key identification features include:

• Dense evergreen tussocks
• Fine grey-green to bright green leaves
• Narrow, rolled foliage with a soft texture
• Flower stems held above the leaves
• Cream, silver or pale brown seed heads
• Height ranging from around 15 cm to 1 metre, depending on the species
• Deep fibrous root systems that anchor the plant firmly

Several native grasses can appear similar, particularly Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra), Spear Grasses (Austrostipaspp.) and Weeping Grass (Microlaena stipoides). Looking closely at the seed heads, growth habit and overall size is often the easiest way to distinguish Wallaby Grass from these other native species.

Popular Wallaby Grass Species

Several species are commonly grown in gardens and used in revegetation projects.

Rytidosperma caespitosum

Often considered the classic Wallaby Grass, this species forms dense tussocks between 20 cm and 90 cm tall. Creamy seed heads appear above the foliage and provide seasonal interest.

Rytidosperma geniculatum

Also known as Kneed Wallaby Grass, this is a low-growing species reaching around 15 cm tall. It produces slender, wiry leaves and attractive seed heads from spring through summer.

Rytidosperma racemosum

Commonly called Clustered Wallaby Grass, this compact species grows to around 20 cm and is suitable for naturalistic lawns or meadow-style plantings.

Rytidosperma setaceum

Also known as Small-flowered Wallaby Grass, this species reaches about 30 cm and has fine foliage with delicate flowering stems.

Austrodanthonia longifolia

A taller variety with longer leaves, growing between 60 cm and 1 metre high.

Austrostipa elegantissima

An elegant ornamental grass with feathery pale pink flower heads, typically reaching around 50 cm in height.

Flowering Season

Most Wallaby Grass species flower from spring through to early summer, although flowering times vary depending on the species and local climate. In cooler regions, flowering may continue well into summer, while some species produce occasional flower stems after autumn rain.

The flowers themselves are quite subtle, appearing as airy seed heads held above the foliage on slender stems. Their colours range from creamy white and silvery green to soft straw tones, creating movement and texture rather than bold floral displays.

As the seed heads mature they become increasingly ornamental, catching the light and swaying gently in the breeze. Many gardeners leave them standing through summer, both for their natural beauty and because they provide food for seed-eating birds.

Flowering is generally most prolific when plants are growing in full sun and are not over-fertilised.

Ideal Growing Conditions for Wallaby Grass

Wallaby Grass grows readily from seed, with germination often quick, though full establishment takes patience as the plants focus energy on building a strong root system first. This deep rooting is exactly what makes them so drought-tolerant later on.

Position

They perform best in full sun to part shade. In hotter inland spots, a bit of afternoon shade helps ease stress during peak summer heat.

Soil

Highly adaptable, Wallaby Grass copes with sandy, loamy, or clay soils and low to moderate fertility. Good drainage helps, but it’s far more forgiving of tough conditions than many other ornamental grasses.

Watering

Keep them moist during the establishment phase. Once rooted, they need very little supplemental water and shine in low-rainfall or drought-prone regions. Avoid overwatering, especially on heavier soils, to prevent issues.

New foliage really picks up once the roots are solid. For quicker results in ornamental settings, tubestock of selected varieties is readily available from native plant nurseries.

Propagation & Establishment Tips

• Seed sowing rates -1 – 3 kg per 100m2. Lower rates are often used for very large projects
• Best seasons to plant – Autumn to Winter. This gives the plants time to establish good root systems before summer.
• Soil preparation tips – Remove weeds, lightly till soil.
• Choose the right species – Rytidosperma differ in needs. R. caespitosum can tolerate slightly moister conditions than R. setaceum.  Around 40 species are indigenous to Australia according to the RBG

Landscape Uses and Garden Design Ideas

Wallaby Grass is an excellent plant for sustainable landscaping.

Native Lawns

Many gardeners use low-growing species as low-maintenance lawn alternatives that require far less mowing, water, and fertiliser.

Ornamental Borders

Clumps of fine foliage add texture and movement to mixed planting beds.

Native Meadows

Ideal for creating naturalistic meadow-style gardens with wildflowers and other grasses.

Erosion Control

The deep root system helps stabilise soil on slopes, roadsides, and disturbed sites.

Orchard or Vineyard Plantings

Wallaby Grass can be planted between rows of fruit trees or vines to reduce erosion and suppress weeds.

Some Wallaby Grass species have also been used traditionally for flour and are now explored in niche brewing and artisan products.

Environmental Role & Biodiversity

• Habitat for insects, birds and native fauna.All Rytidosperma species provides habitat for  butterflies and moths, The dense tussocks formed over time provide habitat for some reptiles and ground-dwelling birds. The seeds are a food source some birds.
• Soil stabilization benefits.
• Supporting local ecosystems in drought zones

Pruning and Maintenance

Wallaby Grass is extremely low maintenance.

Once plants are established, a simple annual tidy-up is usually enough.

Maintenance tips:

• Cut plants back once a year using a mower or brush cutter set high.
• Remove old foliage and clippings to keep the plant tidy.
• This encourages fresh new growth.

Common Problems

Wallaby Grass is generally very hardy and resistant to pests and diseases.

However, potential issues may include:

Overwatering
Too much water, particularly in heavy soils, can lead to root stress.

Weed Competition
Young plants may struggle if weeds are not controlled during establishment.

Once mature, the dense tussocks naturally suppress weeds.

Similar Native Grasses

Several Australian native grasses resemble Wallaby Grass and are often planted together.

Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra)

A taller native grass recognised by its distinctive reddish-brown flowering heads. It is one of Australia’s best-known grassland species.

Weeping Grass (Microlaena stipoides)

A softer, spreading native grass commonly used as a shade-tolerant lawn alternative.

Spear Grasses (Austrostipa species)

Characterised by their long, pointed seed awns and upright growth habit. Many species are important components of native grasslands.

Tussock Grasses (Poa species)

Form larger clumps of blue-green foliage and are commonly found in cooler climates and alpine regions.

Growing several native grasses together creates diverse, resilient plantings that closely resemble Australia’s natural grassland communities.

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