• Toetoe Plant in Nursery pot
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Austroderia Richardii

Austroderia Richardii

South Island toetoe

$10.00
$10.00
Sale Sold out
Taxes included.
Pot Size/Grade

Austroderia richardii (South Island toetoe) is a bold, evergreen NZ native tussock grass that gives you instant structure, shelter, and movement in the garden. It forms a dense clump of arching green leaves, then throws up tall, feathery plumes that sit well above the foliage through summer into autumn. It’s a top pick for windy, coastal, and exposed South Island sites, and once established it copes well with dry spells too.

If you want a tough “plant it and it’ll get on with it” native for larger gardens, lifestyle blocks, driveway edges, or natural-style screening, Austroderia richardii is hard to beat — just give it room, because it becomes a proper clump over time. 

Spacing: Give it room — typically 1.5–2m between plants if planting a line so each clump can form properly

  • Expected 5 Year Height M Width M

Is Austroderia Richardii suitable for my garden?

Austroderia Richardii is best suited in a position that gets

  • Full sun
  • Partial shade

Austroderia Richardii is

  • Evergreen
  • Drought resistant
  • Attracts pollinators
  • NZ Native

Austroderia Richardii will thrive in soil that is

How to establish your Austroderia Richardii?

Position: Full sun is ideal, though it can handle some shade. More sun = stronger growth and better form.

Soil: Prefers moist but well-drained soil, but it’s adaptable and will cope in a range of conditions once established.

Exposure: Great for windy and coastal gardens (tolerates wind and salt spray).

Spacing: Give it room — typically 1.5–2m between plants if planting a line so each clump can form properly.

Watering (first season): Water deeply during dry spells for the first summer. After that it’s generally drought-tolerant and only needs support in extended dry periods.

How to maintain your Austroderia Richardii once established?

Late winter/early spring tidy: Cut out old flower stems and comb/cut away tired outer leaves before new growth starts. Wear gloves and long sleeves — the leaf edges are sharp.

Leave it standing over winter: The foliage and plumes give shelter and look good; do your clean-up at the end of winter rather than autumn.

Optional deadheading: Not essential, but you can remove spent plumes if you want a tidier look and to reduce self-seeding.

Feeding: Usually not needed. If your soil is very poor, a light feed in early spring is enough.
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