FREEDA Caterpillar Grass
Harpochloa falx 'Compact Black'
FREEDA Caterpillar Grass (Harpochloa falx 'Compact Black') is a perennial suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 10–14 in tall and 12–18 in wide, needs low to medium water, and prefers full sun. Compact warm-season grass with curled black caterpillar-like seed heads.
low to medium water10–14 in tall and 12–18 in wideXeric / water-wiseDeer-resistant
Photos
At a glance
- Botanical name
- Harpochloa falx 'Compact Black'
- Variety / cultivar
- FREEDA
- Type
- Perennial
- Mature size
- 10–14 in tall and 12–18 in wide
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- full sun
- Colorado native
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.5–8.0
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Bloom color
- brown, purple
- Bloom time
- mid summer, late summer, early fall
- Pollinator value
- low
Planting & establishment
Deep water every 1–2 weeks during establishment (first growing season), then water sparingly per Plant Select guidance.
Frequently asked questions
- Is FREEDA Caterpillar Grass good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes. FREEDA Caterpillar Grass is included in the Front Range Plant Finder as a perennial suited to Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does FREEDA Caterpillar Grass get?
- It matures to about 10–14 in tall and 12–18 in wide.
- How much water does FREEDA Caterpillar Grass need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- Is FREEDA Caterpillar Grass native to Colorado?
- No — it is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
