How to Grow Ornamental Grasses

About Growing Ornamental Grass Plants

Ornamental grasses are not the kind of grasses that you broadcast spread across your front or back yard. Hopefully, you will never run across them with the lawnmower, either. Rather, you will be growing Ornamental Grass as a decorative plant in your flower garden. It is an accent plant used in a wide variety of landscape applications. are decorative. They are used to add depth and texture to highlight rock gardens. Mix a few groups among shrubs. And, they look great in large containers, too.

There is a wide variety of both annual and perennial ornamental grasses. Chances are, there’s a variety to accent the landscape theme you are seeking to create. Some grow just a foot tall. Others can grow several feet tall. Ornamental grasses have attractive leaves and are often highlighted with striking, colorful flower heads.

Some varieties of ornamental grasses can be dried for indoor decorations.

Ornamental Grass Plant Specifications

Flowers Bloom: Flowering varieties bloom in the summer.

Plant height: 12 inches to several feet, depending upon variety.

Ideal Soil pH: 5.0 – 7.0.

Light Requirement: Full to partial sunlight.

Are Plants Toxic? Yes for most.

Deer Resistant? Yes, most varieties are resistant to deer and rabbits.

Plant Type: Annuals and perennials.

Popular Varieties

Pampas Grass

Hare’s Tail, also called Bunny’s Tail

Festuca Glauca Blue

Are Ornamental Grasses Edible?

Some YES, some NO.

Most ornamental grasses can cause gastrointestinal distress. However, some grasses are edible. For example, some parts of bamboo and sweet grass are edible.

We recommend you do not attempt to consume them, unless you are properly trained on which ones are safe to eat.

Medicinal Uses for Ornamental Grass

There are no known medicinal uses for Ornamental Grass.

Light Requirements

All varieties of Ornamental Grass grow their best in full sun. Select a planting location where the plants will receive six to eight hours or more of bright, direct sunlight.

The plants will grow in partial sunlight. However, if they receive too little sunlight, they are more susceptible to falling over and can be damaged in strong winds.

Ornamental Grass Plant Propagation

Ornamental Grass is grown from seed. Directly sow seeds into your flower garden or started indoors for transplanting later.

If planting outdoors, sow them after the soil has begun to warm in the spring. Sow seeds early in the season and cover lightly with soil. Plant spacing varies, depending upon variety. Check the seed packet for proper spacing.

For indoor starts, grow them in flats, beginning four to six weeks before setting them out.

Days to Germination: 10 – 21 days, depending upon variety.

How to Grow Ornamental Grass Plants

Ornamental Grass plants are very easy to grow. They prefer full sun. Soil and moisture requirements can vary by variety. In general, keeping the soil moist and well-fertilized will promote the healthiest plants. To help you remember, fertilize them when you fertilize your lawn. Ditto with water.

Once your Ornamental Grass is established, it will grow well until frost. Annual varieties will need to be replanted each year. Sometimes seed drop will reseed the space.

Harvest plant stalks and flower heads for indoor decorating in the fall. Hang upside down to dry in a cool, well-ventilated area out of direct sunlight.

Note: Perennial varieties can be somewhat invasive. Without a border, they can spread to your lawn.

How to Grow Ornamental Grasses in Containers and Flowerpots

It is not uncommon to find a variety of uses for growing many varieties of Ornamental Grass in a large container or flowerpot. Like any plant grown in containers, they require a little more care and attention.

In addition to the normal steps for growing them, here’s how to care for them in a flowerpot or container:

It is important to have a drain hole to allow excess water to drain from the pot.
Keep an eye on the moisture level. Check the plants every day or two, especially in extended periods of hot, dry weather.
Keep the soil moist, but not wet. It is okay to let the top of the soil begin to dry between watering.
When watering the plants, thoroughly wet the soil. Excess water will drain through the hole in the bottom of the flowerpot.
Nutrients in a flowerpot are limited. So, use fertilizer spikes to feed the plants. Or, apply a light solution of liquid fertilizer once a month.
Select a sunny to partly sunny location on your deck.

Pruning Ornamental Grass

Ornamental Grass looks its best when left alone to grow naturally. Therefore, no pruning is needed.

The plants are susceptible to plant disease in wet weather. Improving air circulation helps to avoid diseases. Thin the plants a little by removing a few of the blades of grass. Cut them down to the soil level. But, don’t remove too many blades of grass. The plants look their best when grown in masses.

Insects and Plant Disease

Ornamental Grass can experience molds and fungus similar to lawn grasses, especially in wet weather. This is most common when plants are overcrowded. Insect problems are infrequent.

If insect or disease problems occur, treat them early with organic or chemical insect repellents and fungicides as needed.

Also see: Plant Problems – Identify the causes and find the cures.

Overwintering Perennial Ornamental Grass

Perennial varieties of Ornamental Grass are cold-hardy. They need no special attention to prepare them for winter. Do not cut them back in the Fall, as the dry plants are attractive in contrast to the snow.

In the spring, cut the dead and dried foliage to the ground. As the soil warms in the spring, new growth emerges.