White Cloud Muhly Grass planting guide

Last Updated on: 18th March 2025, 12:44 pm

Muhlenbergia capillaris ‘white cloud’ is a drought-tolerant favorite.

If you’re looking to add something graceful and airy to your landscape, look no further than White Cloud Muhly Grass. Known for its stunning white plumes that sway gently with every breeze, this ornamental grass adds beauty and charm effortlessly.

Today, let’s dive into everything you need to know about this attractive grass, and how you can make the most out of it in your yard.

What is White Cloud Muhly Grass?

White Cloud Muhly Grass is an eye-catching ornamental grass that’s loved by gardeners and landscapers alike for its blue-green foliage and fluffy white plumes. These delicate, airy blooms gently dance in the breeze, creating a soft and graceful movement in any garden setting. It’s the right plant when you need to choose plants that are resilient, thriving in tough conditions with minimal fuss.

A cultivar of the native grass Muhlenbergia capillaris, White Cloud Muhly Grass is exceptionally tolerant to drought, adaptable to various soils, and robust in many climates. Plus, gardeners appreciate that it’s resistant to common pests, deer, rabbits, and diseases and can even handle pollution, heat, humidity, and salty conditions. Whether planted as a striking accent or as part of mass plantings along walkways, it’s a versatile choice that is sure to turn heads.

Origins of White Muhly Grass (Kin to Pink Muhly Grass!)

White Cloud Muhly Grass was introduced to gardeners by Hoffman Nursery, a respected Rougemont, North Carolina nursery specializing in ornamental grasses. Hoffman Nursery cultivated this stunning variety as a cultivar of the native Pink Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris), carefully selecting it for its unique and elegant white blooms. Thanks to their efforts, White Cloud Muhly Grass has become a popular, beautiful addition to landscapes across the country, admired for its ease of care, adaptability, and exceptional garden performance.

Key Features and Benefits of White Cloud Muhly Grass

One of the biggest benefits of adding White Cloud Muhly Grass to your landscape is its spectacular display of delicate white plumes each fall. Just when many other plants begin fading, this ornamental grass bursts into life, providing elegance and visual interest to your garden.

Busy gardeners will particularly appreciate its drought-tolerant and low-maintenance nature. It adapts easily to poor soil conditions and thrives even when given minimal care. For those with sandy or otherwise challenging soils, White Cloud Muhly Grass is an excellent choice. Additionally, its medium moisture tolerance makes it ideal for container gardens or landscapes that receive inconsistent rainfall.

White Cloud Muhly Grass attracts beneficial wildlife. Birds, butterflies, and other pollinators flock to its plumes, creating a vibrant ecosystem right in your backyard.

Sun and Soil Requirements

White Cloud Muhly Grass is hardy and adaptable, requiring a considerable amount of full sun for optimal fall flowers. That said, it can handle some shade gracefully. Its adaptability to various soil types—including sandy, poor, and well-drained soils—means it’s flexible enough to thrive almost anywhere in your garden.

This resilient grass does best kept slightly moist but can also tolerate periods of drought once established in the ground. Its tall, upright habit graces southern climates, from coastal to inland landscapes.

Planting Your White Cloud Muhly Grass

When you’re ready to plant your White Cloud Muhly Grass, spacing is key to ensuring healthy, vibrant growth. Plan to space plants 2 to 4 feet apart, depending on your preferred density and design goals. Proper spacing ensures good air circulation, encourages vigorous growth, and promotes abundant blooming.

Aim to plant White Cloud Muhly Grass in early spring or late summer, depending on your local climate. When planting, keep the crown of the plant level with the soil surface—plant it at the same depth as it was growing in its nursery pot. This simple step helps the plant establish roots quickly, making it strong and healthy right from the start.

Watering and Maintenance Tips

During its initial establishment period—usually the first couple of months—give your White Cloud Muhly Grass a deep watering twice weekly. This practice helps its root system develop fully. Once your grass is established, you can reduce watering frequency to once weekly or even less often, as this plant is impressively drought-tolerant.

For optimal growth, apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer each spring. Prune back the grass in late winter or early spring, before the seasonal growth emerges. This maintenance step promotes healthy growth and keeps your plants looking neat and attractive. Divide and replant your Muhly Grass clumps every three to four years to maintain their vigor and beautiful form.

Hardiness and Growing Zones

As mentioned, this perennial grass thrives in USDA growing zones 6 through 11, as far south as north Florida. The heat tolerance makes it adaptable to various climates and growing conditions. In extremely cold areas (closer to zone 6), providing a layer of mulch for insulation during winter months helps protect your plants and keeps them healthy. This hardy species is equally at home in coastal landscapes, inland gardens, and urban environments, proving its versatility.

Companion Planting and Design Ideas for Muhlenbergia Capillaris White Cloud

White Cloud Muhly Grass pairs beautifully with other perennials, especially Pink Muhly Grass. When planted together, the contrasting colors and textures create a mesmerizing display.

Additionally, you can combine White Cloud Muhly with Symphyotrichum (asters) and Solidago (goldenrods) for a garden that’s not only stunning but also welcoming to wildlife. Consider planting this grass alongside other drought-tolerant plants like succulents and sedums to create an effortlessly low-maintenance yet eye-catching landscape design.

Incorporate White Cloud Muhly Grass in mixed beds, large container plantings, or as specimen plantings to provide height, texture, and movement to your design.

Mass Planting and Wildlife-Friendly Gardens

The White Cloud Muhly species is particularly impressive in mass plantings, thanks to its naturally clump-forming habit. This approach produces a dramatic visual impact, turning heads with stunning waves of white plumes in the autumn breeze. Because it tolerates poor soils, it’s suitable for larger areas where soil amendment might be challenging or costly.

Planting White Cloud Muhly in groupings not only beautifies your landscape—it also benefits local wildlife. The plumes and foliage attract birds and butterflies, providing vital food and shelter resources for beneficial insects and pollinators. Incorporating it into your garden design supports local ecosystems and enhances biodiversity.

milkweed — Click image to read about planning a butterfly garden.

Tips for Successful Gardening with White Cloud Muhly Grass

For gardening success, remember a few key tips: plant your White Cloud Muhly Grass in well-drained soil to prevent issues like root rot. Although drought-tolerant, give your grass deep yet infrequent watering to encourage strong, deep roots.

Consistent fertilization helps maintain healthy foliage and spectacular plumes. Regular pruning will refresh your plants each year and encourage new growth. By following these simple steps, you’ll enjoy a thriving, beautiful plant, especially during bloom time.

Call Tayloe’s Lawn Care Services for Help With Perennials

Ready to add White Cloud Muhly Grass to your garden? At Tayloe’s Lawn Care Services, we’re always here to help you create the beautiful landscape you’ve dreamed of. Reach out today, we’ll save you time by installing this gorgeous upright perennial for you.

Author Profile

Randy Tayloe

Randy Tayloe is the COO of Tayloe's Lawn Care Service, LLC. He is a certified custom applicator, recognized by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture Pesticide Division. A native of Bertie County, NC, and graduate of Bertie High School, he wants to beautify his home county - one yard at a time.