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Pampas grass growing zones


A Guide for Flower Growers

Sep 3

How to Grow Pampas Grass: A Guide for Flower Growers

Team Flower

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If you’re a cut flower grower or flower farmer, you’ve probably already noticed the growing popularity of using pampas grass in floral design and home decor. Are you wondering how to grow pampas grass, harvest it, and make money off it? If so, you’ve found the right resource!

(And if you’re a home gardener or flower fan who’s found your way here—welcome! You’re in good company. There’s great stuff in this article for home gardeners, too!)

Pampas grass wedding floral design and event decor has found its way all over Pinterest—and rightly so! (1)

You’ll find the following in this article:

Should You Grow Pampas Grass (If You Can)?

Pampas grass has found its way all over Pinterest in wedding floral design and event decor, but it’s also popping up in everyday bouquets and home decor.  

If you’re a cut flower grower (or even a micro flower farmer!), you might be wondering if you can get in on the pampas grass trend and earn additional revenue off this popular ornamental grass.

How can you provide this easy-to-grow popular cut plume to your market—and as soon as possible? 

This grass can be challenging for floral designers to easily source due to its popularity. If you have the growing space (and even the drying and storage space) for this sought-after ornamental grass, you could earn additional revenue for your floral business. 

“This grass can be challenging for floral designers to source due to its popularity.”

And if you’re a home gardener who has a ton of it, you may be able to earn a little extra gardening money in the late summer and fall by getting in contact with floral designers in your area ahead of the pampas-grass blooming season. 

But growing pampas grass isn’t for everyone—and only you know what’s best for your farm, garden, and your local market. Let’s dive into a quick list of some of the pros and cons!

Curious about growing flowers for market? Love to grow flowers but want to earn money doing so? Check out our online flower growing classes to learn how to make money growing and selling flowers.

Pros to Growing and Selling Pampas Grass

There are benefits to growing pampas grass to sell at market—let’s look into some of the pros below!

Cons to Growing and Selling Pampas Grass

Growing pampas grass isn’t for every farmer or gardener. Below are some cons that you’ll need to think through before diving in.

Again, only you know what’s right for your farm or garden! 

Growing pampas grass in bulk may be best for those who have significant growing space. That way, the plant is cultivated away from other flower farming endeavors, having plenty of wiggle room to grow and reducing seed distribution in other growing spaces.

But if you know that growing this beloved ornamental is right for you, let’s move into some growing tips!

Pampas grass and dried florals stand out against a bright green backdrop. (2)

How to Grow Pampas Grass

Pampas grass is easy to grow, but you’ll need to be strategic about where you plant it. While some varieties do well in containers (especially the dwarf varieties), you’ll need to plan out your growing space ahead of time if you’re growing the full-size plant in bulk for cut flower use. 

Quick facts about growing pampas:

“Remember: Pampas grass is easy to grow, but be strategic about where you plant it. It needs lots of room!”

Growing pampas grass from seed

Growing pampas grass from seed is simple, straightforward, and cost-effective, but it does take some patience. 

Remember, if you start pampas grass from seed, you won’t have the fluffy plumes for 2 to 3 years.

  1. Sow your pampas grass seeds in your growing medium in flats or trays.

  2. Leave the seeds on the surface of your growing medium—don’t press them down into the soil or bury them.

  3. Keep your tray of seeds moist—but not wet—and in a warm area (no less than 65 degrees F).  

  4. Pampas grass seeds need consistent light to germinate, so ensure your seeds are getting at least 6-8 hours of light a day. 

  5. Once the seeds sprout, you may need to transplant them individually into small containers until they mature further.

  6. Once any risk of frost is over and the seedlings themselves are slightly grassy or bushy with some solid root development, you can move them into your garden or growing space, keeping the 6–14 feet spacing between plants in mind. 

If you prefer to get growing right away, you can purchase more mature pampas grass plants for sale in one-gallon and three-gallon containers from many plant retailers and garden centers. These can be more expensive to start with; however, they may shorten your wait time for those beautiful pampas plumes. 

Caring for pampas grass

“Each year, pampas should be pruned and cut back close to the ground to encourage new, healthy growth. ”

Pampas grass care is simple: Each year, it should be pruned and cut back close to the ground to encourage new, healthy growth. Leave several inches of length behind, so your pampas grass plant looks like a little shrub that received a buzz cut!

Pruning should take place in late winter or early spring—and prune with care using the right tools and safety gear, as the blades of grass are sharp and can be prickly. Some gardeners even recommend a chainsaw for pruning due to the heartiness and thickness of the plant (3).

Harvesting Pampas Grass: Drying, Storing, and Selling

Pampas grass blooms in late summer and early fall. Depending on your growing zone and season, pampas grass may bloom (or maintain its blooms if not cut) throughout the winter.

To harvest pampas, simply snip the stalk of the plumes at your desired stem length. Here are a couple of tips to keep in mind before harvesting the plumes:

If you plan on drying pampas grass plumes and storing them until they’re purchased or shipped, ensure you have a warm, dry place to dry. Spritzing the plumes with a light coat of cheap hairspray as needed during the drying process will keep them intact and help with preservation.  

If you’re storing dried pampas for some time before fulfilling orders or using in design work, Team Flower Member Jennifer Parker recommends storing dried pampas grass in large garbage bags to keep it contained, minimizing the shedding mess. Simply fluff before shipping or taking to market and include instructions for the receiver on continued careful preservation.

Where to Sell Pampas Grass

If you’re growing and harvesting pampas grass to sell, there are several ways to get your cut pampas plumes to customers.

You can connect with Slow Flowers to join the site directory to be found by floral professionals and consumers looking for local flower growers.

You also can join the Team Flower Community (that’s us!) to be included in the directory. Many of our community members are looking for regular pampas grass wholesale resources!

“Consider allowing others to carefully forage the grass from your property at a pay per stem rate. ”

You could also consider allowing floral designers, interior designers, and even pampas grass home decor lovers in your area to forage the grass at a pay per stem rate. (However, just make sure you have the proper insurance on your property in place and that everyone is wearing the appropriate safety gear, taking safety precautions, and using the correct harvesting equipment.)

You could also sell your fresh-harvested or dried pampas grass in places such as:

Check out our Growing and Selling Flowers for Market online class to equip yourself to sell your floral products confidently to your community!

Beautiful Substitutions for Pampas Grass

Despite pampas grass being easy to grow and requiring minimal care, perhaps you’ve decided it’s not the right choice for your flower farm or garden space. But how can you take advantage of the fluffy, fun, and striking ornamental grass trend?

“Consider adding other ornamental grasses or plants to your growing operations!”

If growing pampas grass isn’t for you, you may want to consider adding other ornamental grasses or plants to your growing operations that provide a similar visual impact in floral designs and home decor.

While there is no alternative to pampas grass that is truly interchangeable (it’s in a league of its own!), some ideas are included below. 

Finding a substitution for pampas grass can be difficult, but it isn’t impossible. (3)

In addition, some dried and bleached cut palms and ferns can offer a similar look and may be a well-received offering by your cut flower customers. This can be a great product to provide your clients if you have the space and operations to dry, bleach, and store cut botanicals.

For a more extensive list of pampas grass substitutes—including design and storage tips—read Where to Buy Pampas Grass Wholesale + Practical Design Tips for Floral Pros.

Is Growing Pampas Grass for You?

If you’re already growing cut flowers and are wondering if you should add pampas grass to your offerings, it can be easy to start doing so. 

Currently, pampas grass is in high demand for weddings and events and in the floral design and home decor industries, so it’s a great time to start growing.

“Pampas grass is in high demand for weddings, events, and in the floral design and home decor industries.”

Just make sure you have suitable space and growing conditions before you begin! (And the patience to wait for those sought-after, fluffy plumes!)

Do you have a pampas grass growing tip or correction to this guide that you’d like to share? Contact us via the red chat button on the bottom right! We love hearing from our readers.

Photography Credit: Design by The Flora Club

Team Flower

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Where to Buy Pampas Grass Wholesale + Practical Design Tips for Floral Pros

Pampas Grass Zone Insights and More

Pampas grass refers to one of many beautiful ornamental grasses. It happens to be popular in many different locales. The fluffy plumes that pop up in the late summer season make the foliage very appealing to have in your garden. They’re so easy to grow in the right conditions that you may have a harder time getting rid of them than you did to get them started in the first place. It’s good to know what you’re signing up for when the journey is starting, so you won’t be too surprised to see how it turns out.

Many people jump at the chance to plant pampas grass because it looks nice. Unfortunately, many of them find out the grass is hardy and grows very fast the hard way. It’s one of the taller ornamental grasses, as it can grow between 6 feet tall and 10 feet tall. This applies to how long and wide the plants are.

Where Can Pampas Grass (Cortaderia Selloana) Grow?

Whatever conditions you choose need to be conducive to the grass’s growth in a few different ways. First, you need to ensure that your pampas grass has enough room to grow after you plant it. Most information out there indicates that you need to have large spaces between each plant if you’re mass planting the ornamental grass in mass. The best layout to use is to place the plants between 6 feet and 8 feet apart.

Full sun exposure is what pampas grass prefers. While they like the full sun, they can also tolerate partial shade as they can be grown without all the natural light. As far as soil types go, moist and well-drained soil goes. Even with all these requirements, your plumes are anything but delicate. Salt sprays, wind, and drought conditions aren’t going to be detrimental to growing your foliage. This property is what makes pampas grass suited for you to plant along coastal regions.

In Which Zones Can These Full Sun Loving Plants Grow?

These hardy perennial options have several hardiness zone alternatives. It’s hardy in USDA zones 7-11. However, you can go beyond the USDA zone 7 lower limit if the area is well protected. If so, USDA zone 6 is also somewhere that’s conducive to planting pampas grass.

Unless you’re growing the seed of pampas grass in pots, cold regions cannot work. During late winter, for example, they can’t be out back in your garden. You would need to be able to bring the plants indoors until early spring.

That’s sometimes easier said than done. When you have a plant that’s 7 feet or 10 feet tall, finding spacious areas inside is not the easiest thing in the world.

Pampas Grass Care

When your pampas grass grows to the point of being established, the care requirements become very minimal. It’s good to water it in areas where extreme summer or drought conditions are present, but that’s about it. Pruning your pampas grass to the ground each year is also recommended. You can do this during early spring or late winter.

Even if you’re growing the grass as a specimen plant, you’re going to find that It stands up well to many things that may be detrimental for another plant. For example, it’s deer-resistant, pest-resistant, and stands up well to almost any season. Winter can be a temporary problem, but summer, spring, and fall are all seasons in which it thrives.

If you’re putting this plant in your garden, consider planting it early in spring. The growing season is during the summer. If you do your planting during fall or winter, you can impede the potential growth during the next summer.

How Do You Propagate Pampas Grass?

Most information suggests that you propagate the grass during the spring via division. The male and female plumes are found on different plants. The female plants tend to be grown more often than their male counterparts where flower appearance is concerned. They take a more attractive form with fuller plumes present. Male pampas grass in a garden does not feature such a quality with their flowers.

Pampas Grass Colors

Pampas grass helps you to break away from the standard green color. While the long stems are green, the plumes in the garden can have various colors, These range from silvery-white to sand-pink. The pink variations are especially beautiful and sought after.

Check out my guide to the Types and Varieties of Pampas Grass

Pampas Grass FAQs

How Often Do I Need to Water My Pampas Grass?

This is a very hardy plant. The said hardy nature means you don’t need to worry about maintaining moist soil conditions for your large foliage to remain aesthetically pleasing. You need only water the grass when conditions become dought-like or dry.

What Are the Recommended Zones for Growth?

According to the available information, these grasses are best grown in areas that fall under the umbrella of zones 7-11. Zone 8 or Zone 9 make a great mid-point here. While not ideal, you can grow these hardy plants in well-protected zone 6 locales.

Why Is Pampas Grass Illegal?

Why would something so popular with such beautiful pink and white colors be illegal? The classification is due in large part to the growth nature of such hardy grasses. It bears many similarities with the most aggressive of weeds, and not even its beautiful flowers can change that. Note that you don’t need to back out of planting them if you like them, depending on where you live. There are some areas in which having and growing pampas grass are perfectly legal.

Can I Order Pampas Grass for Myself?

If you want to order some of the best pampas grass available via internet means, you can do so on Amazon. For example, look at this pink decorative option.

What Basic Things Should I Remember Before Planting Pampas Grass Myself?

Knowing things, such as where does pampas grass grow, soil conditions (well-drained), clearance requirements, etc., can go a long way in preparing you for setting up your pampas grass garden. Additionally, plant them in a place where the aggressive nature isn’t going to be too much of a problem for you to handle.

Pampas grass - features of planting, care, wintering

Cortaderia, or pampas grass, looks great at their summer cottage. But for some reason, few grow it. Let's take a closer look at this powerful and at the same time graceful plant.

Pampas grass is a perennial plant of the Cereal family, which is able to form large and dense sods up to 3 m in height and width. In the wild, this herb grows in the pampas of South America and is considered a weed.

The elongated, pointed leaves of the plant hang down under their own weight and thus give the bush a rounded appearance. Pampas grass blooms from August until frost with branched flower panicles of silver, pink or yellow color.

When buying seedlings, pay attention to which cortaderia you are offered. Female plants do not lose their decorative effect even during the rains. Men's with the advent of autumn grow dim.

In winter, pampas grass will perfectly decorate an apartment if its panicles are dried and placed in a vase

Planting pampas grass

Pampas grass can be planted in spring from the end of March. The sooner you plant a plant, the sooner it will take root by the start of the growing season.

The planting hole for pampas grass should be wider than the root system of the plant. Before planting, drainage (gravel, pebbles, broken brick or sand) should be poured into the bottom of the pit, and several buckets of compost should be placed on top of it. Too deepen the bush is not worth it, otherwise the plant may begin to rot.

When planting several plants, keep a distance of 1.5-2 m between them.

Pampas grass is watered into a hole made around the plant. Cortaderia especially needs watering in the summer months, because that's when the growth of green mass occurs.

Pampas grass loves bright light. But, when choosing a place for a plant, give preference to areas closed from the wind.

Cortaderia looks good both on the lawn and in the flower bed. Its fluffy panicle inflorescences perfectly decorate the empty spaces of the site. This grass is also planted near stone buildings. This placement has a significant advantage: the stones give off their heat and contribute to the good growth of the cortaderia.

Near high thickets of pampas grass, a recreation area is often organized: sunbeds and garden benches are placed. Yes, and there will be a lot of trouble with the stratification of seeds, so it's easier to buy seedlings.

Pampas Grass Care

Cortaderia is hardy and can withstand both drought and high humidity. The main care of the plant is systematic watering. And it should be remembered: the larger the plant, the more moisture it needs. On average, one cortaderia bush needs 1-2 buckets of water every 2-3 days.

Annual (early spring) top dressing with complex mineral fertilizer is also important. During the growing season, once every two weeks, you can feed the plant with Azofoska's solution.

Faded inflorescences of cortaderia retain their decorative effect for a long time, so it is better to cut them in spring. At the same time, you need to cut off dead leaves.

Overwintering pampas grass

There is an opinion that pampas grass does not tolerate cold well. This is not entirely true. It's all about the high humidity of the air and soil. Shelter made of dry grass and leaves, which should be stocked in advance, will help the plant to overwinter.

In November, trim the bush to 30-40 cm or tie the leaves with twine to drain the water. This will make winter easier. After that, sprinkle dry foliage and grass on the soil around the stems with a layer of 40 cm. When grown in the northern regions, additionally cover the pampas grass from above with a film or a warm cloth. Under such shelter, the plant will safely overwinter, even if the temperature drops to -25 ° C.

Popular varieties of Cortaderia

Variety Description

Andes Silver

Plant height - 2 m, inflorescences - silvery-white.

The variety is relatively cold-resistant, but in the northern regions the plant needs good shelter.

Monstrosa

Grows up to 2 m high.

Leaves - gray-green, inflorescences - large, snow-white color.

Patagonia

Relatively cold-resistant plant about 2 m high.

Leaves are gray-green, inflorescences are silver-white.

Pumila

One of the most cold-resistant varieties.

Plant height is approximately 1.2 m.

Leaves - gray-green, inflorescences - white.

Pink Feather

A plant with gray-green leaves and bright pink panicle inflorescences.

Rosea

Height - up to 2 m.

Inflorescences - silver-white with a delicate pink tint.

Sunningdale Silver

Plant up to 2.3 m high with silver-white paniculate inflorescences.

This unusual plant has a place in any garden style. Pampas grass goes well with other cereal crops, and looks good as a "soloist" of a flower garden.

Pampas grass (cortaderia) - planting and care. The best varieties

Among domestic gardeners, pampas grass (or cortaderia dioecious, Sello) - an interesting plant with an unusual name - is rapidly becoming fashionable. However, it is well known abroad and has been cultivated for more than one century.


Pampas grass was especially popular in Great Britain during the reign of Queen Victoria. Romantic, sophisticated Victorian gardens, suggesting a fusion of nature and man, were the best suited for planting this exotic plant. Since then, pampas grass has taken its rightful place in the landscape compositions of the estates of good old England.


Pampas grass came to Europe from South America, which is clear from the name. This plant was endemic (specific local species) of the pampas (pampas) - the steppe zone of the subtropics of the southeast of the South American continent with herbaceous cereal vegetation - until the German botanists Alexander von Humboldt and Friedrich Sello described and exported several specimens.

Since the narrow long leaves of the plant have a very sharp edge, cortaderia got its name from the Spanish word "cortar", which means "to cut". And one of the most common species, Cortaderia Sello, was named after Friedrich Sello.

Interestingly, in Brazil and other South American countries, Cortaderia has never been cultivated as an ornamental plant. Perhaps because it was already lacking in the wild. Some types of grass were used by South Americans for livestock feed, others as a basis for making paper. But, in general, in the homeland, the plant was considered and continues to be considered one of the most resistant weeds.

In areas with a favorable climate, pampas grass spreads at an alarming rate. Its seeds are dispersed by winds and germinate easily, occupying an increasing area in a short time and crowding out other species. The plant is capable of harming birds, which can injure themselves on the sharp edges of the leaves. In addition, in South America, dry pampas grass often causes fires. Due to these negative factors, in some places, for example, in California, New Zealand, Hawaii, the sale and cultivation of pampas grass is prohibited.


As with every dangerous weed, cortaderia is mercilessly fought in favorable places for growth - they are cut down, treated with pesticides, flower stalks are cut off before the seeds are laid.

[!] Cortaderia is not dangerous in the temperate and northern zones, because it does not spread at the same rate as in the homeland. In a harsh climate, pampas grass, as a rule, grows from the root, but there is practically no self-seeding.

According to the botanical classification, Cortaderia (lat. Cortaderia) is a genus of perennial herbaceous plants belonging to the Cereal family. And cortaderia is dioecious or Sello (lat. Cortaderia selloana), which, in fact, is called pampas grass - one of the species of the genus Cortaderia.

This large (up to 3 meters high) perennial is characterized by long narrow (typical for all cereals) leaves, which have a very sharp edge and tip. As they grow under their own weight, the leaves tend to the ground, curving in an arc. The average size of a single sheet is up to 2 meters in length, and a width of about a centimeter. The standard color of the leaves is cyan (bluish-green), however, there are varieties with silver or variegated (variegated) leaf color.

Small fluffy (female) and hairless (male) flowers are collected in dense paniculate inflorescences from 30 to 50 centimeters long in white, pink, cream and similar shades. During the peak of flowering (as a rule, the end of July - the beginning of November), panicles are extremely pubescent, which looks very decorative and spectacular.


The root system of pampas grass is very developed. The fact is that at home, in the pampas, the plant is forced to extract deep-lying water. To do this, he needs long branched roots.

In the wild, cortaderia grows in so-called curtains or tussocks (dense groups consisting of several specimens). Approximately the same should be planted pampas grass in culture. In addition, at home, Cortaderia is an evergreen genus, and in more northern latitudes, it loses leaves during frosts and grows again in the spring.

The best types and varieties of pampas grass

As mentioned above, only one type of cortaderia is used for horticultural cultivation - dioecious (Sello). Over time, this species has become the ancestor of many decorative varieties that look very impressive.

Among the best varieties of pampas grass are the following.

Creamy, yellowish and silvery pampas grass:

There are many varieties of Cortaderia with delicate, close to natural color of inflorescences - ocher, white, cream.

K. 'Sunningdale Silver', K. 'Splendid Star', K. 'Evita', K. 'Albolineata'

Pink pampas grass:

The pink color of pampas grass is almost never found in nature. This shade is the result of a long selection of the plant.

K. "Pink Feather", K. "Highfield Pink", K. "Rendatleri", K. "Rosea"

Kortaderia in landscape design. Dried flowers

Pampas grass looks unusually impressive in herbal compositions. Her high spreading panicles, similar to the feathers of luxurious exotic birds, moving after the gusts of wind, set in a romantic and calming mood.

Pampas grass is good both singly (more precisely, in a group of several single-species curtains), and in combination with other representatives of the kingdom of Flora. Since the height of the cortaderia is very significant, in the flower bed it is usually used as a tapeworm (composition center) for smaller plants. However, nothing prevents planting pampas grass next to shrubs or even trees. Its airy inflorescences and thin foliage will perfectly shade denser greens.


Professional gardeners advise planting pampas grass next to various species of yucca that are zoned to the middle lane. Leathery juicy leaves and a large inflorescence of yucca will be perfectly shaded by airy cortaderia. Another suitable companion is the perennial grass miscanthus. Since miscanthus is a bit like pampas grass (elongated leaves, creamy panicle inflorescences), such a composition will be good in nuances.

In warmer regions, where the pampas grass remains evergreen, the plant is often planted as a hedge, but in the temperate zone such a green enclosure will require too much care, so it is not practical to arrange it.

Pampas grass is excellent for making dried flowers in any climate. Drying, it almost does not lose color, does not fall apart and looks great both in vases and in wall panels.

Pampas grass - planting and care

Pampas grass has gained fame among European gardeners as an undemanding perennial.

It is believed that the plant quickly adapts to various conditions, whether it be humidity, soil type or lighting. At the same time, many domestic flower growers fail when growing pampas grass.

Indeed, cortaderia is a plant of the South American steppes, which means that it is not very well adapted to a temperate climate. However, knowing some of the subtleties of growing pampas grass and showing perseverance, it is quite possible to cultivate an overseas guest in our gardens.

Let's look at the main nuances of growing this exotic guest.

Propagation and planting

Cortaderia is generally propagated in three ways:

The most difficult and longest way to propagate pampas grass is the first one, by seeds.

Planting Pampas Grass Seeds

Cortaderia seeds cannot be harvested from the mother plant in our climate as they do not ripen, but they can be purchased from the store. But even here the gardener may have several problems.

First of all, the seeds do not germinate well. But even those specimens that have ascended require the most careful care before landing in open ground. If difficulties do not scare you, below is the technology for germinating and planting pampas grass seeds.


Seeds are sown in late February - early March. Before planting, you should prepare a container for planting, fill it with soil (garden soil, half mixed with sand) and moisten. Seeds must be mixed with a handful of soil, and then scattered over the surface of the container. From time to time, the earth is carefully, avoiding overflow, moistened from a fine spray gun.

In order for the seeds to sprout, the temperature in the room must be at least 23°C, and after germination (after 2-3 weeks), it is desirable to organize additional lighting for them. When the seedlings get stronger, they should be picked up and planted in separate containers. In the first year, pampas grass, as a rule, is not tolerated in the open ground, but only taken out into the fresh air on warm days. In the same pots, seedlings overwinter and only in the second year, at the end of May, seedlings can be carefully transferred to a permanent place of residence.

[!] Flowering of pampas grass obtained from seeds occurs 3-5 years after planting.

Cuttings and division of pampas grass

Cortaderia cuttings are less troublesome than planting with seeds, but there are some nuances here. First, the mother bush must be mature (well grown) and healthy. Secondly, the best time for pampas grass cuttings is mid-summer, before flowering begins. It is best to take a root cutting with a piece of root (heel) and plant it in a separate container. In the first year, it is advisable to leave it in the same container and let it winter in a relatively warm place. It is necessary to plant a grown cutting in the second year, after the establishment of warm weather.

Dividing is the easiest and least labor intensive propagation of pampas grass. As well as cuttings, it is necessary to divide the cortaderia in the middle of summer, before the appearance of peduncles. For division, an adult healthy plant is taken. It is carefully dug out, trying not to damage the roots, and then, without shaking off the ground, the rhizome is cut into two or three parts. The resulting delenki can be planted immediately in open ground - in a prepared (well-moistened) planting pit.

Location, soil, top dressing, watering, pruning

Since pampas grass is native to the south, it should be planted in well-lit areas. The more sun, the better. In the shade and partial shade, the cortaderia will wither away and certainly will not bloom luxuriantly and please the eye. In addition, the place for the landing of the cortaderia must be sheltered from the winds. Young plants with immature rhizomes are especially badly tolerated by sharp gusts of wind. Pampas grass should not be planted along the banks of water bodies or in areas where the groundwater level is too high. A plant native to the dry steppe will not be able to take root in wet soil.

The best option for planting pampas grass is a sunny clearing, surrounded and protected around the perimeter by higher representatives of the kingdom of Flora.

The soil most suitable for an exotic foreign guest should be, on the one hand, nutritious, and on the other hand, light, water and breathable. The worst option is heavy loam, the best is humus mixed with sand in a ratio of 1:3. In the soil intended for growing pampas grass, in no case should water stagnate, otherwise the root will quickly rot and the plant itself will die.

Moderation is key when fertilizing and watering pampas grass. The plant does not need excessive moisture, so it should not be watered often. And on rainy or cool days, watering should be completely excluded. Remember, from stagnation and an excess of water, the plant will not only stop blooming, but may also die. For cortaderia, moisture is especially destructive in combination with cold.

The same can be said about top dressing. If the soil is rich in nutrients, fertilizer is not required. Otherwise, in spring and autumn, you can feed the plant with standard universal fertilizers.

Wintering of pampas grass

One of the main factors of health and survival of pampas grass in the middle lane is the correct wintering of the plant. Organizing it is not easy.


It is believed that the maximum temperature that cortaderia can withstand in winter is -25°C. In regions where the temperature drops even lower in winter, the pampas grass must be dug up and put into the basement. Moreover, the basement must be dry, otherwise the plant will die due to high humidity.

[!] There is no need to trim the pampas grass before wintering at all or minimally (about 50 centimeters from the ground). Its dry leaves will serve as additional protection. Sanitary pruning of dead wood should be carried out only in the spring, before the start of active vegetation.

Where winters are not so cold, a simple shelter can be enough. For these purposes, coniferous spruce branches or dry mowed grass are perfect. To protect the plant from frost, pampas grass leaves are tied in a sheaf, which is covered with covering material on top or gently bent to the ground. It is especially important to cover young, recently planted specimens. Older plants or those that grow in the south of our country are most often able to winter without shelter.

Diseases and pests

Pampas grass is not afraid of diseases, but it can suffer due to waterlogging combined with low temperatures. It is not easy to save the affected cortaderia. In order to destroy pathogenic microorganisms, damaged parts of the plant should be removed, and then treated with fungicides.

As for pests, they are few. Most often in summer, wasps find shelter in dense thickets of grass; in winter, mice can choose a warm dense curtain. As a rule, both those and others do not pose a danger to the plant.

Problems and questions when growing cortaderia

What to do with dry leaves of mature pampas grass that appear in the center? They can be removed, but this should be done in early spring, before the start of the growing season. It is not worth cutting dried leaves in the summer, as the plant can get sick, and in the fall they will be useful for sheltering the cortaderia.

Pampas grass leaves have dried tips. Do they need to be cut?
If this happens in summer or autumn, it is better not to touch the plant, as there is a risk of damage to it. Pampas grass should be left until spring, and in the spring, after dry warm weather is established, remove dried leaves.

Cortaderia produces many green shoots, but flower stalks do not appear. How to make pampas grass bloom?
First, you need to take into account that pampas grass does not bloom immediately, but only in the 3-5th year after planting in open ground. Secondly, you need to check in what conditions it grows, whether there is enough sun and whether there is an excess of moisture. If the soil is too rich, and fertilizers are used uncontrollably, the plant begins to "fatten" - it grows foliage at the expense of flowering. In this case, you need to dilute the top layer of soil with sand and stop using top dressing.


My pampas grass flowers don't look like the ones in the pictures.

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