Melinus nerviglumis
Ruby Grass

Soft, fluffy, and surprisingly glamorous, Melinis nerviglumis, commonly known as Ruby Grass or Natal Grass, brings touchable texture and rosy seasonal color to sunny gardens. This small evergreen ornamental grass forms tidy clumps of soft grey-green foliage, then sends up 4–6" ruby-pink flower plumes through summer that are as pretty in the garden as they are in fresh or dried arrangements.

Growing about 2' tall and wide, Ruby Grass is a lovely choice for perennial borders, dry gardens, smaller spaces, containers, and mixed plantings where fine texture and warm color are welcome. In fall, the airy blooms deepen to red, adding another round of interest before the cooler season.

Plant Melinis nerviglumis in full sun with well-drained soil for best perennial success. Hardy to about 20°F, it tolerates periodic drought once established, though average water keeps it looking fuller and fresher. Explore more garden-worthy favorites in our Best Selling - Perennials & Biennials collection.

We guarantee that the plants we sell are healthy and viable at the time they leave our care.

If a plant arrives in substandard condition, please take clear photographs and contact us within 48 hours of delivery. To ensure eligibility under this guarantee, we strongly encourage you to open and unpack your shipment immediately upon delivery and inspect the plants thoroughly.

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$14.99 flat rate for up to 6 plants is for standard FedEx/UPS Ground shipping to eligible states only. $19.99 for up to 12 plants. Plants being shipped to the following states are sent via Express Mail to help ensure they arrive quickly and healthy. 

(AL, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IN, KY, ME, MD, MA, MI, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VT, VA, WV)
(list of states subject to change seasonally due to extreme heat or cold conditions)

We cannot ship Annie's Annuals plants to P.O. boxes or outside the continental U.S.

Individual plants are shipped in 4" pots and we ship in boxes of 4, 6, 8, or 12 plants per box.

For more details, read our full Ordering and Shipping Policies

Get your plants off to a strong start with our care guide.

Download the Plant Care Guide (PDF)