Short answer
Yes, some ornamental grasses grow in shade, but most do not. The majority of popular ornamental grasses, such as miscanthus, fountain grass and switchgrass, prefer full sun. A smaller group tolerates part shade or full shade, and many of the best “shade grasses” are actually grass-like plants such as sedges, woodrush and lilyturf.
Why most ornamental grasses want sun
Most ornamental grasses evolved in open habitats such as prairies and meadows. They rely on strong light to grow dense, upright and sturdy, and to produce plumes. In low light they tend to stretch, thin out and flower less. A shade-tolerant grass has adapted to woodland or forest-edge conditions instead.
Grasses that do grow in shade
These are the plants most often recommended for shade:
- Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra): a cascading, bamboo-like grass for part shade and moist soil. See our Hakonechloa growing guide.
- Sedges (Carex): grass-like plants, not true grasses, with many shade-friendly choices. Examples include Pennsylvania sedge, Japanese sedge, palm sedge and Bowles’ golden sedge. Browse our Carex for shade guide.
- Northern sea oats (Chasmanthium latifolium): a native grass that tolerates part shade and some deeper shade, with dangling seed heads. It can self-seed freely.
- Korean feather reed grass (Calamagrostis brachytricha): prefers part shade and moist soil.
- Tufted hair grass (Deschampsia cespitosa) and wavy hair grass (Deschampsia flexuosa): cool-climate grasses for part to full shade.
- Woodrush (Luzula): low, soft tufts for cool, moist shade.
- Liriope and mondo grass: evergreen groundcovers that tolerate considerable shade. See liriope vs mondo grass.
Our main guide to ornamental grasses for shade and part shade compares these in more detail.
How much shade is too much?
Light matters more than most people expect. Plant labels often use terms like these:
- Part sun or part shade: about 4 to 6 hours of direct sun. Many shade-tolerant grasses do well here.
- Shade: under about 4 hours of direct sun, or filtered light.
- Deep shade: little direct light at all. Only a handful of plants, such as some sedges and woodrush, do reasonably in it. See can I grow grass in 100% shade.
Even shade-tolerant grasses typically look best with some light, especially bright indirect light or morning sun. Gold and variegated cultivars may lose some color in very deep shade.
What happens to sun grasses in shade
If you plant a sun-loving grass in a shady spot, you will often see:
- Few or no flower plumes
- Floppy, open growth that falls over
- Weaker, thinner clumps over time
- More chance of disease where air circulation is poor and the foliage stays damp
Some grasses labeled “sun to part shade,” such as feather reed grass ‘Karl Foerster’, can manage a few hours of shade, but they are not true shade plants.
Tips for success
- Check your moisture. Shade under large trees is often dry because the roots take up the water. Water well in the first year or two, and consider mulching.
- Match the plant to the soil. Japanese forest grass and palm sedge like moisture; Pennsylvania sedge copes with drier shade. For soggy spots, see grasses for wet shade.
- Add organic matter. Compost helps most shade plants.
- Use companions. Hostas, ferns, coral bells and spring bulbs go well with shade grasses.
- Look at the tag. Choose by the light a plant needs, not just the picture.