Comb Windmill Grass: A Non-Native Annual You Probably Don’t Want in Your Garden
If you’ve stumbled across the name comb windmill grass in your gardening research, you might be wondering whether this annual grass deserves a spot in your landscape. Let me save you some time: Chloris pectinata is one of those plants that’s more likely to show up uninvited than to earn a place in your carefully planned garden beds.
What Exactly Is Comb Windmill Grass?
Comb windmill grass (Chloris pectinata) is a non-native annual grass that has found its way into parts of the United States, particularly South Carolina. As its name suggests, this graminoid produces distinctive seed heads that somewhat resemble tiny combs or windmill blades. While that might sound charming, this grass is more of a weedy opportunist than a garden ornament.
This plant falls into the graminoid category, meaning it’s a grass-like plant similar to other members of the grass family. Being an annual, it completes its entire life cycle in just one growing season, producing seeds before dying off when cold weather arrives.
Where Does It Come From and Where Is It Now?
Originally hailing from tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, comb windmill grass has established itself as a non-native species that reproduces spontaneously in the wild. Currently, it’s been documented growing in South Carolina, where it persists without human intervention.
Should You Plant Comb Windmill Grass?
Here’s the short answer: probably not. While this grass isn’t officially classified as invasive or noxious, it’s not exactly what most gardeners are looking for either. Here’s why:
- Limited aesthetic appeal compared to intentionally bred ornamental grasses
- Tendency to behave more like a weed than a desirable garden plant
- Non-native status means it doesn’t support local ecosystems as effectively as native alternatives
- Annual nature means you’d need to replant each year if you actually wanted it around
Growing Conditions (If You’re Determined)
Should you find yourself with comb windmill grass anyway—perhaps it’s appeared on its own—it typically thrives in:
- Full sun locations
- Disturbed or poor soils
- Warm climates (USDA zones 8-11)
- Areas with minimal competition from other plants
Like many weedy species, it’s quite adaptable and doesn’t require much care or attention to establish itself.
Better Native Alternatives
Instead of settling for this non-native grass, consider these beautiful native alternatives that will provide much more value to your garden and local wildlife:
- Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) – gorgeous fall color and excellent wildlife habitat
- Buffalo grass (Poaceae dactyloides) – drought-tolerant and perfect for naturalized areas
- Purple lovegrass (Eragrostis spectabilis) – delicate, cloud-like seed heads with native benefits
The Bottom Line
While comb windmill grass isn’t going to take over your neighborhood like some invasive species might, it’s also not going to win any gardening awards. If you’re looking to create a landscape that’s both beautiful and beneficial to local wildlife, you’ll find much better options among native grass species. Save your garden space for plants that truly deserve it—your local pollinators and birds will thank you!
