Rice Grass (Jarava): A Non-Native Ornamental Grass for California Gardens
If you’ve been browsing ornamental grasses for your California garden, you might have come across rice grass, scientifically known as Jarava. This perennial grass brings a unique texture to landscapes, but before you add it to your shopping list, let’s dive into what makes this plant tick and whether it’s the right fit for your garden.
What is Rice Grass?
Rice grass belongs to the graminoid family, which is just a fancy way of saying it’s a grass or grass-like plant. As a perennial, it comes back year after year, making it a long-term investment in your landscape. However, there’s an important detail to note: Jarava is not native to California or anywhere else in the United States. It’s an introduced species that has made itself at home and can reproduce on its own in the wild.
Where Does Rice Grass Grow?
In the United States, rice grass has established itself in California, where it grows without human intervention. Originally from South America, this grass has adapted to Mediterranean-like climates and can persist in suitable environments.
Garden Appeal and Landscape Role
Rice grass offers ornamental value with its grass-like texture and feathery seed heads that add movement and visual interest to gardens. It works well as:
- An accent plant in drought-tolerant landscapes
- A naturalized element in Mediterranean-style gardens
- Textural contrast in mixed plantings
Growing Conditions and Care
Like many grasses from Mediterranean climates, rice grass generally prefers:
- Well-draining soil
- Full sun to partial shade
- Drought-tolerant conditions once established
- USDA hardiness zones 8-10
The good news for busy gardeners is that rice grass typically requires minimal care once it’s settled in. However, detailed growing information for the genus Jarava as a whole is limited, so you may need to experiment to find what works best in your specific garden conditions.
Should You Plant Rice Grass?
Here’s where things get interesting. While rice grass isn’t listed as invasive or noxious, it is a non-native species that has shown it can establish and spread on its own. For environmentally conscious gardeners, this raises the question: why not choose a native alternative instead?
California has numerous beautiful native grasses that offer similar ornamental value while supporting local ecosystems:
- Purple needlegrass (Stipa pulchra) – California’s state grass
- Foothill needlegrass (Stipa lepida)
- California oatgrass (Danthonia californica)
- Blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis)
Wildlife and Pollinator Benefits
Unfortunately, specific information about rice grass’s benefits to wildlife and pollinators is not well-documented. This uncertainty is another point in favor of choosing well-researched native alternatives that are known to support local birds, butterflies, and beneficial insects.
The Bottom Line
Rice grass can be an attractive addition to drought-tolerant gardens, and since it’s not classified as invasive, you won’t be breaking any ecological rules by planting it. However, given the abundance of stunning native California grasses that provide proven wildlife benefits and require similar growing conditions, you might want to explore those options first.
If you do decide to grow rice grass, start with well-draining soil, provide regular water until established, then step back and let this low-maintenance perennial do its thing. Just remember to keep an eye on it and prevent it from spreading beyond your intended planting area.
Whatever you choose, the most important thing is creating a garden that brings you joy while being mindful of the local ecosystem. Happy gardening!
