Plant in full sun in fairly well-drained soil. Little supplemental irrigation required but can handle more regular irrigation if soil drains well. It is cold hardy to USDA Zone 7 (0-10 F°). A great looking smaller grass that is similar in appearance but about half the size of California Deer Grass (Muhlenbergia rigens) and, as such, is more usable in smaller gardens. We have also seen reports that this grass is rarely browsed by deer.

Muhlenbergia dubia comes from elevations of 3,300-5,000 feet in the Chihuahuan desert from eastern Arizona, New Mexico, South Texas and northern Mexico. The German naturalist Johann Christian Daniel von Schreber (1739-1810) named the genus for Gotthilf Heinrich (Henry) Ernst Muhlenberg (1753-1815) who was American born but returned to his ancestral Germany for schooling and later returned to America. He was an ordained Lutheran minister and devoted his free time to the study of the botany. The specific epithet comes from the Latin word 'dubi' meaning "doubtful" or "uncertain" as in the sense of not conforming to what is thought normal for a Muhlenbergia. We thank John Greenlee who introduced us to this wonderful grass that we have been offering in our catalogs since 2006. It has since become one of the most sought-after grasses for landscape use. 

The information about Muhlenbergia dubia displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant.