Wallaby Grass

Wallaby Grass (Rytidosperma caespitosum) is a fine-leaved native tussock that grows to about 90cm tall and 60cm wide. It forms soft, dense clumps and sends up fluffy cream flowerheads in spring and summer, usually after rain. Few native grasses adapt to so many soils and climates, which is why it is a favourite for revegetation and bushland style gardens.

Why you'll love it

• Adaptable almost everywhere. It grows at altitude and by the coast, in the cool wet south and the hot dry north, in sandy, loamy or stony soil. Tropical far north Queensland is the main exception.
• A fine, soft texture. Very fine, long leaves give a meadow look that sits well beside broader native foliage and rock.
• Fluffy seedheads. Cream to white flowerheads emerge after rain, usually in spring and summer, which is where its other common name, white-top, comes from.
• Fast to establish. It is a fast grower, so a mass planting closes up and starts holding soil without a long wait.
• Little work once settled. A yearly feed with a native slow release fertiliser is about all it asks for, and it tolerates harsh conditions.

Where it works best

Mass planting and revegetation. Plant 50cm apart for dense cover, or 60cm for a looser meadow effect. The clumps widen into each other and shade out most weeds between them.

Slopes and erosion control. The fibrous clumps help hold soil on banks and batters. Use the same 50cm spacing in staggered rows and mulch between the young plants.

Bushland and native gardens. Plant it among wattles, correas and eucalypts for a natural look. Its seed also feeds seed-eating birds, so it suits wildlife plantings.

Growing Wallaby Grass in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to part shade. It copes with coastal and exposed sites, the cool wet south and the dry inland, so it suits subtropical, warm temperate, cool temperate, Mediterranean and arid gardens. We do not recommend it for the tropical far north.

Soil. Almost any soil will do, including sand, loam and stony ground. It does not need rich soil, so skip the heavy compost and plant at the same depth as the tube.

Water and feed. Water weekly through the first summer so the roots run deep. After that it manages on rainfall in most districts. Feed once a year with a native slow release fertiliser, ideally in spring.

Pruning. No regular pruning is needed. If a clump looks tired after the seed has set, shear it back to about 10cm and let it reshoot.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Wallaby Grass as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly, and in 140mm pots in packs of 10. Tubes are the economical choice for large plantings, while the 140mm packs give a fuller clump from day one. Expect a small tuft of fine green leaves rather than a mature clump, with flowerheads following once the plant has settled in and the rain has come.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Ornamental grasses for Australian gardens
• Browse grasses and strappy leaf plants
• More Australian native plants
• Drought tolerant plants for dry gardens

Common questions

How far apart should I plant Wallaby Grass?

Plant 50cm apart for a dense mass planting. Allow 60cm if you prefer individual tussocks with a little space between them.

Can it grow in the tropics?

We do not recommend it for the tropical far north. It does well from the subtropics south, in cool wet climates and in hot dry ones.

When will it produce its fluffy seedheads?

Usually in spring and summer, after rain. In a dry year there may be fewer, but the fine green clump stays tidy either way.