South Island toetoe

Austroderia richardii | South Island toetoe, toetoe

 

This large, fast-growing coarse green tussock is a striking and versatile New Zealand native grass. It's an excellent choice for revegetation and erosion control, and provides useful low shelter in both wet and dry conditions. It produces attractive creamy-white flower heads rising above its arching green foliage. These feathery plumes create a bold, textural statement in the landscape when they form a commanding clump with dramatic seasonal presence. This hardy species thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. It's highly tolerant of wind, salt spray, and dry periods once established, making it ideal for native gardens, large-scale plantings, coastal, and exposed sites. Space plants 1.5–2m apart to allow their full form to develop.

coastal scrub

coastal forest

subalpine scrub

dune forest

dunes

streamsides

wetland

lake margin

dry

free draining

well drained

moist

wet

full sun

partial shade

height | 2m

width | 2m

flowering | September–November

fruiting | October–March

On farms, toetoe (Austroderia richardii) makes an excellent, hardy windbreak once established, forming dense clumps that withstand various weather conditions. It provides shelter for livestock, stays below pivot irrigation, and is useful for runoff prevention and along watercourses. Toetoe is also an attractive plant for bank stabilsation, adapts to a range of soils, and is well-suited for riparian plantings.