Teff: The Ancient Ethiopian Grain That’s Making Waves as an Ornamental Grass
Meet teff (Eragrostis tef), a fascinating annual grass that’s been quietly making its mark in American gardens. While you might know this plant as a trendy superfood grain, teff has some surprising ornamental qualities that make it worth considering for your landscape – with a few important caveats to keep in mind.
What Exactly Is Teff?
Teff is a fine-textured annual grass that belongs to the Poaceae family. Originally from Ethiopia and Eritrea in the Horn of Africa, this diminutive grain has been cultivated for thousands of years. The plant produces delicate, airy seed heads that dance gracefully in the breeze, creating an almost ethereal quality in the garden.
You might also see this plant listed under its former scientific names, including Eragrostis abyssinica or Poa tef, though Eragrostis tef is the currently accepted botanical name.
Where Does Teff Grow in the United States?
As a non-native species, teff has established itself in limited areas of the southeastern United States, particularly in North Carolina and South Carolina. The plant reproduces spontaneously in these regions and tends to persist without human intervention, though it hasn’t spread aggressively across the landscape.
The Garden Appeal of Teff
Despite its agricultural origins, teff brings several ornamental qualities to the table:
- Delicate, fine-textured foliage that adds softness to plantings
- Airy, cloud-like seed heads that provide movement and interest
- Fast growth reaching 2-4 feet tall and 1-2 feet wide
- Drought tolerance once established
- Low-maintenance annual that self-seeds readily
Growing Conditions and Care
If you decide to experiment with teff in your garden, here’s what you need to know:
Light and Soil: Teff thrives in full sun and well-drained soils. It’s quite adaptable to different soil types but performs best when drainage is excellent.
Hardiness: As an annual, teff can be grown in USDA zones 3-11, making it accessible to gardeners across most of the United States.
Planting: Direct seed in spring after the last frost date. The seeds are tiny, so rake them lightly into the soil surface rather than burying them deeply.
Care: Once established, teff requires minimal care. Water during dry spells until the plant is well-rooted, then it becomes quite drought tolerant.
A Word of Caution: The Non-Native Factor
Here’s where things get interesting – and a bit complicated. While teff isn’t currently listed as invasive or noxious, it is a non-native species that has shown the ability to establish and reproduce on its own in some areas. This means gardeners should approach it thoughtfully.
If you’re passionate about supporting local ecosystems and native wildlife, you might want to consider native grass alternatives instead. Beautiful native options include:
- Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)
- Purple love grass (Eragrostis spectabilis) – a native cousin of teff
- Buffalo grass (Poaceae dactyloides)
- Broomsedge (Andropogon virginicus)
Wildlife and Pollinator Considerations
As a wind-pollinated grass, teff doesn’t offer the nectar and pollen resources that native flowering plants provide to pollinators. While the seeds might provide some food for birds, native grasses typically offer more comprehensive wildlife benefits, including specialized relationships with native insects and better integration into local food webs.
The Bottom Line
Teff presents an interesting case study in ornamental gardening. It’s a beautiful, low-maintenance annual grass with unique aesthetic appeal, but it’s also a non-native species in a landscape where native plants are increasingly valued for their ecological benefits.
If you’re drawn to teff’s delicate beauty, consider it for contained spaces like containers or annual borders where it’s less likely to self-seed into natural areas. Better yet, explore the wonderful world of native grasses – you might discover that our indigenous species offer even more beauty and benefits than this exotic visitor from Ethiopia.
Remember, every plant choice is an opportunity to support local ecosystems. Whether you choose teff or a native alternative, you’re creating habitat and beauty in your own backyard corner of the world.
