Pampas Grass Care: How to Grow and Care for Pampas Grass

Pampas grass, the common name for Cortaderia selloana, is a flowering plant and ornamental grass native to Argentina, Brazil, and other regions of South America, and cultivated worldwide. As a member of the Poaceae family, pampas grass is related to bamboo, rice, and wheat. The flowering plant is identifiable by its height, varying between four and 13 feet, and by an inflorescence or group of feathery plumes of flowers. Pampas grass also has green or yellow saw-toothed leaf blades with razor-sharp edges that form tufted clumps called tussocks.

As far as planting zones, pampas grass can grow in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 through 11, but grows best in Zone 7, which includes Alabama, Massachusetts, and New York. Under the right conditions, pampas grass is low maintenance and grows easily and quickly. However, many states regard the grass as an invasive species—Hawaii and New Zealand have banned it altogether.

There are 25 different varieties of pampas grass within the Cortaderia selloana species. Among the most common are Gold Band, which has white plumes, and Pink Feather, a pink pampas grass with rose-colored blooms.

There is also a dwarf pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana pumila) and two pampas grass plants that are not in the selloana species: Cortaderia jubata, also known as Andean or purple pampas grass, and Saccharum ravennae, or hardy pampas grass.

Pampas grass is a perennial grass, which means that it grows dormant during the winter months, and new growth occurs in the early spring. To grow this dioecious plant for fruit production, gardeners should plant separate male plants and female plants together for pollination.

Once you have viable pampas grass seeds, take them indoors and press them into cell packs or flats containing well-draining soil during the mid-to-late winter months. Ensure they have plenty of light and warmth (between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit), and then transplant the seedlings for female plants (which have fuller plumes that don’t produce seed) in the spring.

While it’s possible to overwinter pampas grass indoors with the right combination of sun and light, it’s less effective and requires a lot of space as a year-round houseplant due to its height and razor-sharp leaves. Once the timing is right in your area, here’s a step-by-step guide to planting pampas from seed:

• Choose a site. Pampas grass requires a lot of sunlight to grow, so select a spot that gets a minimum of six hours of direct sun per day. They will also grow in partial shade, though the plants may be less healthy. Pampas grass is an invasive, self-seeding plant: a single plant can produce a million seeds per year, which, when carried by the wind, can grow wherever they land. Ensure there is plenty of room between your new plants and your neighbors’ gardens. Pampas grass can also be a fire hazard if planted too close to a flame source, like an outdoor grill.
• Prepare the soil. Pampas grass needs rich and moist but well-drained soil to grow. You can till and add a balanced fertilizer or mulch to your garden or add quartz sand to assist with drainage.
• Plant the seeds. Once you’re ready to plant seedlings, dig a hole that’s about 15 inches deep. Massage the root ball to loosen the roots before planting, so they are in the best position to establish themselves in the soil. Place the plant in the hole, then fill it in with soil. If you’re planting multiples, ensure that there are at least six feet between each plant to give them ample room to grow.
• Water the site. Water the planting site deeply to settle the soil and help the seeds establish roots. After the roots take hold, the plant will only require watering every few weeks during the first year.

Here are a few tips on caring for your pampas grass:

1. 1. Propagate: After approximately five years, your female pampas grass will need propagation to remain healthy. Propagating the plant will require you to cut the stalk down to the roots to reveal new shoots within the old plant. Remove the remains of the old plant and replant the young shoots at the same depth; water deeply and keep the soil moist until the new plant is thriving.
2. 2. Prune: Pampas grass grows quickly. To keep it under control, prune the grass stalk to the ground with gardening shears in late winter or early spring. Wear gloves and long-sleeve clothing to protect yourself from its sharp leaves.
3. 3. Water: Pampas grass care is low-maintenance when it comes to watering. Once they’re fully established, they only need water from natural rainfall.

Grow your own garden with Ron Finley, the self-described "Gangster Gardener." Get the MasterClass Annual Membership and learn how to cultivate fresh herbs and vegetables, keep your house plants alive, and use compost to make your community—and the world—a better place.