How to Incorporate Bear Grass Into Centerpieces

Bear grass complements flowers in centerpieces.

Bear grass (Xerophyllum tenax), also known as Indian basket grass, is a member of the lily family. The leaves of the plant, which look like grass, are thin, olive colored and very rigid. Bear grass is a decorative plant in the garden and can be added to centerpieces for vibrant greenery. If you don’t mind a natural centerpiece, it can be potted so that you can enjoy it with decorative flowers.

Things You'll Need

• Tall vase
• Bear grass leaves
• Scissors
• Large yellow flowers, such as roses or daisies
• Medium red flowers, such as miniature roses or geraniums

Instructions

1. Fill the tall vase half full with water. If you have some cut plant food, sprinkle it into the water and stir until it is dissolved.

2. Place the bear grass leaves into the centerpiece, letting the leaves naturally hang from the vase.

3. Cut the large yellow flowers to three heights. Relative to the vase, you’ll want tall, medium and short flowers. Cut the red flowers to two heights between the yellow flower heights.

4. Place the flowers into the vase and arrange them so that the grass is in the middle of the centerpiece and the flowers are arranged at the various heights around the grass.

Tips & Warnings

• If the flowers are not fitting tightly around the bear grass, tie the bear grass into a bundle using a piece of floral tape positioned just above the vase’s water line.

References

• Blue Planet Biomes: Bear Grass
• “Creative Wedding Florals You Can Make”; Terry J. Rye; 2000