Tiny Mousetail (Myosurus minimus)

Tiny Mousetail

Myosurus minimus

Delicate spire-like blooms nod like tiny mouse tails, a charming wild groundcover. Annual herbaceous wildflower; common name: Tiny Mousetail.

Full sun
1–2/week
Beginner
🌱

Plant Needs

☀️
Sunlight Full sun to partial shade; tolerates short periods of dry soil and cool spring conditions
💧
Watering Water when the top 1 cm of soil dries out; avoid overwatering to prevent root rot in compacted soil
🌡️
Temperature Hardy to -10°C; avoids extreme summer heat above 28°C to prevent premature wilting
🔍

Characteristics

  • Leaf: Narrow, linear basal leaves forming a dense rosette, 1–5 cm long
  • Flower: Spire-like greenish-yellow inflorescence, 1–3 cm tall, resembling a mouse tail
  • Stem: Slender, upright flowering stems with no cauline leaves
🛠️

Care Guide

Watering

Keep soil slightly moist during active growth to support bloom production

Fertilization

Optional diluted compost tea application once at germination. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers to prevent excessive foliage growth at the expense of blooms

Banana peel compost tea:Compost banana peels for 2 weeks, dilute 1:20 with water for root drench; avoid raw peels to prevent pest infestations
Pruning
  • Deadhead spent blooms to encourage self-seeding for next year's growth
  • Remove yellowing basal leaves to maintain a tidy rosette appearance
  • Clear surrounding debris to improve airflow and reduce fungal disease risk
⚠️

Toxicity

Warning: this plant may be toxic.

Pets & Humans

Pets: ASPCA: No documented toxicity to cats

Humans: No documented toxicity to humans

📖

Garden Uses & Culture

Culture: N/A

Usage: Wildflower garden groundcover, rock garden accent