How to Grow and Care for Spinifex

Sand spinifex grass is a pioneer grass that specializes in growing on loose sand. It can be used to bind drifting sands and reduce windblown sand grains. While the plant is available commercially, it is better suited to dune restoration than to ornamental garden use since it can be slow-growing and difficult to establish.

Ravan's moustache (Spinifex littoreus) is valued for its use in stabilizing coastal dunes. The grass grows in mats across the sand, which helps to protect the dunes from high winds and avoid soil erosion. It is also called "Ravan's Mustache," though it is not known where this name came from.

Hairy spinifex is a resilient coastal grass, common in sandy dunes where it helps stabilize soil with its long, creeping rhizomes. Its spiky inflorescences and coarse, curled leaves are adapted to harsh, windy environments. The spherical seed heads often break away, dispersing seeds like tumbleweeds, a distinctive method that aids in the plant's proliferation within its arid habitat.

Beach spinifex is characterized by its creeping stems and long, narrow leaves with a sharp, spiny tip that helps conserve water in its arid habitat. Its spherical flowering heads, each surrounded by spiky bracts, emerge like sandy-hued globes, allowing it to blend seamlessly with the coastal dunes it typically inhabits.