Plants That Look Like Hair

Have you ever seen a plant that looks like hair? It’s a suprising and wonderful sight in the garden, adding movement and soft texture. These plants that look like hair can resemble flowing locks, creating a whimsical and dynamic feel in your beds, containers, or hanging displays. They bring a unique, almost animated quality to your outdoor space.

This guide will help you choose and care for the best varieties. We’ll cover where to plant them and how to keep them looking their best.

Several plants have earned nicknames for their hair-like foliage. Their forms range from fine, grassy strands to cascading tendrils. Here are some of the most popular and effective choices for your garden.

Ornamental Grasses for Wind-Blown Hair

Many ornamental grasses mimic the look of tousled hair blowing in the breeze. They are generally low-maintenance and provide year-round interest.

Mexican Feather Grass (Stipa tenuissima): This grass forms a dense fountain of fine, green hair that turns golden. It sways beautifully with the slightest wind. It can self-seed readily in some climates, so check if it’s considerd invasive in your area.
Fiber Optic Grass (Isolepis cernua): Technically a sedge, it creates a perfect mound of thin, green stems tipped with tiny white flowers that look like light bulbs. It’s excellent for damp soil or as a houseplant.
Hare’s Tail Grass (Lagurus ovatus): Known for its soft, fluffy seed heads that look like bunny tails, the foliage itself is a soft, grassy clump. It’s a great annual for texture.

Succulents with Hairy or Thread-Like Forms

Succulents offer unique textures and are perfect for dry, sunny spots. Their “hair” is often a adaptation to protect them from harsh sun.

Old Man Cactus (Cephalocereus senilis): The classic example, covered in long, white hairy spines that look like an elderly man’s beard. It needs full sun and excellent drainage.
String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus): While not hair, its trailing stems of spherical leaves create a beautiful, bead-like curtain that functions visually like long braids.
Mermaid Tail Succulent (Crested Senecio vitalis): This crested form has wavy, fan-shaped growth that strongly resembles the flowing locks of a mermaid emerging from the soil.

Trailing and Cascading Plants for “Hair” Displays

These plants are perfect for pots, shelves, or walls where their long stems can flow downward like a waterfall of hair.

Dichondra ‘Silver Falls’: Its cascading stems of small, silver-dollar shaped leaves create a shimmering curtain of silvery-green. It’s a fast-growing annual that loves heat.
Baby’s Tears (Soleirolia soleirolii): Forms a dense mat of tiny, round leaves on delicate stems. It looks like a lush, green head of cropped hair and thrives in moist, shady areas.
Spanish Moss (Tillandsia usneoides): An air plant that drapes from trees in gray-green tendrils. It absorbs moisture from the air and creates a haunting, elegant effect.

Unique Picks for the Conversational Piece

Some plants offer a more quirky or dramatic interpretation of the hair theme.

Corkscrew Rush (Juncus effusus ‘Spiralis’): Its dark green stems grow in tight, spiral curls, looking like a head full of perfectly coiled ringlets.
Lion’s Tail (Leonotis leonurus): This shrub produces brilliant orange flowers that are fuzzy and tubular, clustered around the stem in a way that resembles a lion’s mane.
Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata): Its long, slender, and curly leaves erupt from a bulbous trunk, creating the effect of a playful ponytail.

How to Design With Hair-Like Plants

Placement is key to showing off these special plants. You want to highlight their form and movement.

Use Height and Levels: Plant trailing varieties in tall pots or hanging baskets. Let them spill over the edges freely.
Create Contrast: Pair fine-textured “hair” plants with plants that have large, bold leaves. The difference makes the hair-like foliage stand out more.
Highlight Movement: Place grasses where the wind can catch them, like near a patio or pathway. You’ll enjoy their constant, gentle motion.
Focal Points: Use a single, dramatic specimen like an Old Man Cactus or a large Ponytail Palm as a living sculpture.

Caring for Your Flowing Foliage

While needs vary, here are general guidelines for keeping your hair-like plants healthy.

Light Requirements

Most grasses and succulents need full sun (6+ hours daily) to maintain tight growth and prevent becoming leggy. Trailing plants like Dichondra also love sun. Plants like Baby’s Tears prefer shade. Always check the specific plant’s needs.

Watering and Soil

This is where plants differ most. Succulents and cacti need infrequent watering and gritty, fast-draining soil. Ornamental grasses are often drought-tolerant once established. Moisture-loving plants like Fiber Optic Grass need consistently damp soil. Good drainage is almost always essential to prevent root rot.

Pruning and Grooming

Yes, you can groom these plants! Remove dead or brown strands from grasses in early spring before new growth starts. Trim back trailing plants to encourage bushier growth. For succulents like the Old Man Cactus, gently remove any dead debris caught in its “hair” with tweezers.

Seasonal Considerations

Many ornamental grasses provide winter interest; their faded blonde locks look stunning against frost. Leave them standing until late winter. Tender succulents and annual trailers need to be brought indoors if you experience freezing temperatures. Plan your design with the seasons in mind for long lasting appeal.

Common Problems and Solutions

Even the best gardens face issues. Here’s how to troubleshoot your hair-like plants.

Leggy or Sparse Growth: Usually means not enough light. Move the plant to a sunnier location or consider supplemental grow lights indoors.
Brown Tips or Centers: Can indicate underwatering, overwatering, or salt/mineral buildup. Review your watering schedule and use filtered water for sensitive plants.
Pests: Spider mites can sometimes bother indoor specimens, causing a dull look. Increase humidity and rinse the foliage or use an insecticidal soap.
Fungal Issues: Caused by excess moisture on leaves or soil. Improve air circulation, avoid overhead watering, and ensure pots have drainage holes.

FAQ

What are some good indoor plants that look like hair?
Fiber Optic Grass, String of Pearls, Baby’s Tears, and the Ponytail Palm all do very well as houseplants. Just match them to the right light in your home.

Are there any flowering plants that resemble hair?
Yes! Lion’s Tail has fuzzy flower clusters. Also, some cultivars of Celosia (like ‘Flamingo Feather’) have plumes that can resemble brightly colored hair.

How do I make my trailing plants look fuller?
Regularly pinch or trim the growing tips. This encourages the plant to branch out along the stem instead of just growing longer. More branches means a thicker, lusher appearance.

Can I grow these plants together in one container?
You can, but it’s crucial to group plants with similar light and water needs. A pot mixing succulents and moisture-loving Baby’s Tears will lead to one plant thriving while the other suffers.

Where can I buy these unusual plants?
Check local nurseries specializing in native plants or succulents. Online retailers also offer a wide selection, especially for harder-to-find varieties. Always read reviews before ordering.