Stinkgrass (Melinis): What Every Gardener Should Know About This Widespread Grass
If you’ve encountered a delicate, feathery grass spreading through gardens and natural areas across the warmer parts of the United States, you’ve likely met stinkgrass. This unassuming member of the Melinis genus has quietly established itself from coast to coast, earning both admirers and detractors along the way.
What Exactly Is Stinkgrass?
Stinkgrass belongs to the grass family and exhibits the classic graminoid growth habit—think slender leaves, hollow stems, and those characteristic feathery seed heads that dance in the breeze. As both an annual and perennial (depending on conditions and specific species within the genus), this adaptable grass has mastered the art of persistence.
Despite its rather unfortunate common name, stinkgrass doesn’t necessarily smell bad. The name likely refers to certain species within the genus that can produce a somewhat musty odor when crushed or dried.
Where You’ll Find Stinkgrass
Originally hailing from Africa and Madagascar, stinkgrass has made itself quite at home across a impressive range of US locations. You’ll find established populations in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maryland, New Mexico, North Carolina, and Texas, plus several US territories including Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
This wide distribution tells us something important: stinkgrass is remarkably adaptable and, as a non-native species, has successfully established self-sustaining populations without human intervention.
The Garden Perspective: To Plant or Not to Plant?
Here’s where things get interesting for gardeners. Stinkgrass offers some legitimate benefits—it’s drought-tolerant once established, requires minimal care, and adds delicate texture to landscapes. In xerophytic or rock gardens, it can serve as an attractive accent or ground cover.
However, its non-native status and ability to self-seed readily means you should carefully consider whether it’s the right choice for your garden. While not currently classified as invasive in most areas, its widespread establishment pattern suggests it’s quite good at spreading on its own.
Growing Conditions and Care
If you do choose to work with stinkgrass, you’ll find it refreshingly low-maintenance:
- Sunlight: Thrives in full sun conditions
- Soil: Prefers well-drained soils but adapts to various soil types
- Water: Drought-tolerant once established, requiring minimal supplemental watering
- Hardiness: Generally suited to USDA zones 8-11, though this varies among species
- Maintenance: Minimal care required; may self-seed prolifically
Native Alternatives Worth Considering
Before committing to stinkgrass, consider these native grass alternatives that offer similar benefits without the ecological concerns:
- Buffalo grass (Bouteloua dactyloides) – Drought-tolerant native perfect for southwestern gardens
- Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) – Beautiful native bunch grass with year-round appeal
- Sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula) – Elegant native with distinctive seed heads
The Bottom Line
Stinkgrass represents one of those garden dilemmas where practical benefits must be weighed against ecological considerations. While it’s undeniably easy to grow and drought-tolerant, its non-native status and self-seeding tendencies warrant careful thought.
If you’re drawn to the delicate, feathery texture that stinkgrass provides, explore native grass alternatives first. They’ll give you similar aesthetic benefits while supporting local ecosystems and wildlife. However, if you do choose to include stinkgrass in your landscape, monitor its spread and be prepared to manage volunteer seedlings.
Remember: the best garden choices are those that balance your aesthetic goals with environmental stewardship. Native plants almost always win that balance.
