Flower arrangers and crafters love the silvery, plume-like flowers, both fresh and dried.
In fall, it makes appearances in centerpieces,seasonal wreaths, and even wedding bouquets.
Plant pampas grass in late spring after the threat of frost has passed.
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In the South, people frequently plant it at the beach where it bends gracefully in the salt breeze.
It thrives in hot, sunny conditions and tolerates drought.
Plant Attributes
Pampas Grass Care
Plant pampas grass in a sunny area with well-draining soil.
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Pampas grass is easy to grow, and plants rarely need watering or fertilization.
Male plants also bloom but lack the silky hairs that make plumes look full and feathery.
This is a statement plant that needs room to grow.
Its blades are razor-sharp, so plant it in an area away from where children and dogs play.
It will tolerate light shade for part of the day.
Pampas grass will not thrive and flower in full shade and will be susceptible to fungal diseases.
Soil
Pampas grass is a tough and tolerant plant.
Pampas grass also tolerates salt spray, making it popular for plantingalong the coast.
In very dry and sandy soil, mix in some compost to help retain moisture.
Pampas grass does not do well in soggy soil.
Heavy clay soil should be amended to improve drainage.
If wet spots, plant pampas grass on a mound.
Water
Water pampas grass well until it is established.
After that, thisdrought-resistant plantshould take care of itself.
However, pampas grass needs more moisture when actively growing to look its best.
Give it a good soaking during extreme or prolonged drought.
Pampas grass is typically evergreen in the South but may die back in a harsh winter.
Varieties that stand apart from the species include:
Pruning
Pampas grass blades are razor-sharp.
Wear eye protection, gloves, and long sleeves and pants when handling and pruning pampas grass.
Cut pampas grass to 12 inches or lower in late winter before new foliage appears.
Propagating Pampas Grass
Pampas grass is best propagated by division.
Growing it from seed is not recommended because there’s no guarantee you’ll get the showier female plants.
It is a copyright infringement to propagate these plants.
Ensure the pot has large drainage holes and use good-quality potting mix.
The containers get quite heavy and should be located where they are easy to be moved indoors for winter.
Repot your plant every two to three years to give it adequate space to grow.
Overwintering
To overwinter the grass indoors, wait until the end of the growing season in fall.
Reduce watering during the dormant season.
Another option is to overwinter pampas grass in an unheated greenhouse where temperatures remain above freezing.
Thinning and browning blades may indicate anthracnose, while reddish stems may be a sign of rust.
Powdery mildew is an unsightly but generally harmless white coating on the blades.
The best treatment for these fungal diseases is to increase sunlight and drainage.
Move a smaller plant to a more suitable location if needed.
Pampas grass has few pest problems.
Deer stay away because of the sharp blades.
Failure to bloom may be due to a lack of sun.
Even though pampas grass tolerates partial shade, the best blooming occurs in full sun.
Selections such as “Ivory Silver' and ‘Sunningdale Silver’ bloom reliably.
Nitrogen-rich fertilizer or excess nitrogen is another reason why ornamental grasses don’t bloom and grow mainly foliage.
Too much moisture may also result in fewer blooms in poorly drained or heavy clay soil.
Pruning at the wrong time (in the fall instead of spring) can also affect blooms.
Dividing the grass clump every few years rejuvenates it and also helps blooming.
Frequently Asked Questions
A pampas grass plant can live for 10 to 15 years.
This fast-growing grass is topped with delicate cotton-candy plumes and grows to a maximum height of 4 feet.
University of Georgia Extension.Pampas Grass.
University of Florida Extension.Pampas Grass.
Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States.Uruguayan Pampas Grass.
