Cortaderia selloana
Pampas grass
Common names: Silver grass
At a glance
- Light
- Full sun
- Lifespan
- Perennial
- Flowering
- Sep–Oct
- Hardiness
- Hardy with protection
Photo: CC BY-SA 2.0 · Source
This description was machine-translated.
Description
Pampas grass is an impressive ornamental grass from South America that, from late summer onward, produces large, silvery‑glossy plume-like seed heads on dense, meter‑high foliage stalks. The 'Pumila' cultivar remains noticeably compact at about 1.5 m, whereas the wild type can reach up to 3 m. The narrow leaves have sharp, fine serrations along the margin; handling leaves close to the plant is best done with gloves and long sleeves, especially around children. As a solitary plant on a lawn or at a garden edge, it becomes a striking focal point from September to October, and its dried plumes remain long when displayed in a vase.
Care instructions
Pampas grass prefers a sunny, wind‑protected spot with well‑drained soil; it does not tolerate wet feet. Water regularly during the first two years, then it copes well with drier periods. Before the first frost, bundle the leaves into a tuft and cover with burlap or straw to protect the root crown over winter. In early spring, around the end of March (week 13), cut the old growth close to the ground; it will then vigorously regrow. Wear gloves during pruning, as the leaf margins remain sharp even when dry.
The care notes were machine-translated from German.
Garden year
FloweringSep–Oct
Soil & site
Soil pH
Soil type
well-drained, sandy, lean, dry
Pampas grass loves a well-drained, rather sandy soil that may well dry out completely now and then. Winter waterlogging is the most common reason the plant dies, so choose a spot on a slight rise or with drainage. Soil that is too nutrient-rich and heavy makes the clumps soft and prone to rot. A sunny, warm spot with lean to medium soil brings the most beautiful, sturdy plumes.
Feeding
Light feeder
Pampas grass copes well with few nutrients and thanks you for too much fertiliser with soft growth prone to toppling rather than more flowering splendour. In spring, a thin layer of mature compost around the root zone is entirely enough. You can easily do without additional feeding during the season. More important than nutrients is a site where water never stands.
Overwintering
In autumn, tie the clumps loosely together so rain and snow run off better and the heart of the plant stays dry. The old stems and leaves stay standing over winter and protect the rootstock from frost; only in early spring do you cut back to ground level. Young plants also appreciate a mulch layer of leaves or brushwood at the base. At very cold, waterlogged sites, winter protection of airy horticultural fleece is worthwhile.
Propagation
Methods
- Division
- From seed
The most reliable method is division in spring, as soon as new shoots are visible. With a sharp spade, cut off strong outer pieces of the clump and replant them immediately in a sunny, well-drained spot. Keep the divisions evenly moist until they have established; after that pampas grass is surprisingly undemanding. Sowing works too, but it takes much longer to produce a presentable plant and gives less predictable results than division.
For your garden
Grow Pampas grass yourself
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