Ripe seed collected in the summer (November to January) germinates easily in seed trays. Young plants can be planted out in spring (or earlier in frost-free areas).

Alternatively, some nurseries sell young plants as 'plugs', which can be planted directly into prepared ground and kept watered until established. Thereafter, little attention is needed, other than cutting back leaf mass at the end of winter. Once established, the plants need very little water and do not appear to be susceptible to disease or pests. (In spite of its common name it is not eaten by caterpillars!)

Harpochloa falx, with its rounded form, can either be grown individually as 'specimen' plants, or grouped close together (30cm spacing) to provide structure within a garden. The clumps of grass are particularly striking when interspersed with plants of contrasting growth form.

An effective planting in the Natal National Botanical Garden consists of groups of caterpillar grass inter-planted with the blue squill, Merwilla plumbea.