Pampas Grass: How To Grow Cortaderia Selloana

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PAMPAS GRASS
PAMPAS GRASS

Are you interested in learning How You can Grow Pampas Grass in the easiest and best way ever possible?

Would you like to have a Step-by-Step Guide that is perfect for beginners?

Here, in this article, we will teach you how to grow and take care of Pampas Grass in the easiest way possible.

Pampas Grass (Cortaderia selloana) is a tall, good-looking perennial plant. It has a lot to offer in terms of function and form.

PAMPAS GRASS

Pampas grass grows to a height ranging from ten to thirteen feet. An individual clump can spread up to six feet in width. Thus it acts as a privacy screen for your home.

Further, the stems of the ornamental grass are upright and stiff. The leaves of this plant have razor-sharp edges. Therefore it acts as an effective form of natural fencing.

The beauty of this plant matches easily with its practical applications. Cortaderia selloana plants have fluffy and large stalks of graceful flowers or plums. The flowers come in different shades of cream, pink and white during late summer.

In this article, we will see the factors that one needs to keep in mind when planting Pampas Grass. We will also advise you how and where you can plant this warm-season grass. keep reading to learn more.

Characteristics of pampas grass

Common Name(s)Pampas grass, cortadera, paina, tussock grass, pluma
Scientific NameCortaderia
FamilyPoaceae
OriginSouth America (Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Uruguay)
Height4-10 feet depending on the variety
LightFull sun to partial shade
WaterLow to moderate
Temperature65-90 °F
HumidityTolerant to drought and can bear high humidity
SoilWell-drained sandy loam is most suitable, but also tolerates other soil types
FertilizerNone to balanced medium
PropagationBy seed or division, maybe invasive
PestsNone

Pampas Grass: Is It Hard To Grow?

It is very easy to grow pampas grass. The plant grows just like a weed. It has been declared a noxious weed and an invasive species in California and Texas. It is banned in New Zealand and Hawaii.

Pampas grass is a self-sowing plant. It can also spread from traveling roots. It propagates quickly and can overtake your garden in a very short time if you are not careful!

pampas grass

Young plants can adapt to a variety of growing conditions. Once in place, they increase in width and size rapidly. Therefore it is advisable to think twice before planting pampas grass.

How Much Space is Necessary?

You must be sure to have plenty of room for growth. One must provide a minimum gap of six feet between plants. Pampas grass is flammable. Therefore make sure to plant it away from your home and other structures to prevent a fire hazard.

Best Location to Grow

For better results, select a location that receives plenty of sunlight to plant pampas grass.

Well-drained soil that uniformly remains moist is most suitable. In case if you are not able to provide this type of soil, don’t worry. Pampas grass plant is robust and can survive in a wide variety of conditions.

It can stand partial shade and different soil conditions.

Also, the ornamental grass is drought tolerant. It can also bear wind and salt, therefore, you can grow it in the seaside cottage garden!

This plume grass can grow nicely in a wide range of USDA zones (7 through 11). If you can plant it in a well-protected region, it will also thrive in Zone 6.


Steps To Take When Planting Pampas Grass

Here are a few easy steps to follow to plant pampas grass.

  • Pick a sunny, bright location. Also, drain the soil lightly.
  • Maintain a space of 6 to 8 feet around the plant so that it can grow properly.
  • Till the soil with the help of a tiller. Add some well-composted manure or organic compost to the soil.
care of pampas grass
  • Dig a proper sized hole in your soil. If the seedlings are in gallon containers, hole size should be nearly about seventeen inches wide and fifteen inches deep.
  • Remove the seedling from its container. Now, massage the root ball. This is done to separate the roots. Thus they will be able to absorb and hold moisture more easily.
  • Place your plant in the hole that you have dug. Now, cover the roots and bottom part with the soil that you have prepared.
  • Add plenty of water immediately. Keep the soil moist evenly as your pampas grass plant establishes itself. Once the plant establishes itself, you will only need to water well occasionally. Otherwise, the long roots of this plant will find the water needed from the ground.

Pampas Grass Maintenance: Taking Care Of Cortaderia

When you have a developed stand of this ornamental grass, you will find maintenance and care a simple task.

In cooler regions, when the growing season ends, wear your gloves and protective wear and tie together the leaves of the plant.

This move will help in protecting the plant against shock due to cold. If the area where you live freezes, you may wish to cover or wrap your plants when the temperature drops below the freezing point.

Pampas Grass Pruning

Just at the starting of the springtime, you should burn or prune the dead stalks of your plant right to the ground. This will never harm the roots, and it will make way for new, fresh growth.

pruning of pampas grass

Remember that the leaves of pampas grass are sharp as blades. They are quite sharp and may inflict quite a bit of injury upon contact. Always wear sturdy long sleeves and gloves to avoid being cut badly when pruning or handling these plants.

Does Pampas Grass Need Lots Of Fertilizer?

Pampas Grass plants need little or no fertilizer. If you wish, you can add fertilizer to the soil in the form 10-10-10 in the springtime after burning back dead growth or pruning. This will be helpful to stimulate springtime growth.

fertilizer of pampus grass

How Do You Propagate Pampas Grass?

After you burn back or prune your plants in the springtime, you can slice into the root clumps with the help of a sharp shovel. Just dig a shovelful of roots and relocate them to another area. Soon you shall have a whole new pampas plant.

Note that Pampas Grass comes in both female and male varieties. Plumes help us to tell the difference. The females have silkier, fuller, more attractive plumes. Female specimens are best to propagate the pampas grass plant.

How To Plant Pampas Grass Seeds

Pampas grass is recognized invasive in many places particularly because it is self-seeding. Pampas grass generates massive numbers of seeds each year. Its seeds can develop and make themselves at home in almost every type of soil.

The grass can spread without requiring any extra effort. The main point of circulation is to get your new plants at the place of your choice.

seeds of pampus grass

If you want to grow the ornamental grass from seed, it is very easy. directly Sow the seed in the soil during the springtime when frost is not a danger.

The seeds require sunlight to germinate. Therefore, you should sow it in an area that receives plenty of sunlight. Do no cover the seeds with soil. You may rake the soil gently before and after sowing in order to prevent the seed from being eaten by birds or blowing away.

When to Plant Pampas Grass Seeds

If you want, you can always sow the seeds in pots or in containers indoors a couple of months prior to the last predicted frost. Sow them gently on the surface of loose, well-drained soil.

Keep them well warm (around 70 degrees) and lit until they germinate. This should take roughly twenty to twenty-five days.

After all the threat of frost passes, relocate the seedlings to your garden. As with all the plants that are kept indoors during the winter periods, you may want to transplant your youngsters to the outdoor environment slowly.


Pests And Diseases

Surprisingly, there are very few problems with pampas grass. It may sometimes be subjected to helminthosporium leaf spot but otherwise, it is disease-free. The initial use of a fungicide to treat this will decrease the spread and limit further leaf losses in your plant.


Think Carefully Before Planting Pampas!

Pampas Grass is a very beautiful plant that adds beauty and elegance to any landscape.

Remember, if you are determined to plant it, you must keep its growth under control.

Later, if you change your mind, you’ll pretty much run out of luck. It is almost impossible to destroy once installed.

So, how to get rid of pampas grass?

If you choose to get rid of this grass, prepare for a struggle lasting for many years. Many have tried chopping it down or burning it down.

This only excites the grass to produce further growth or to “go underground.”

Keep in mind that this grass can expand through traveling roots, which grow deep in the ground. It’s these deep roots that allow the plant to sustain unfavorable conditions.

Some people have fortunately got rid of it with herbicides, but this is a destructive method. This plant is so robust that it will take many applications of poison to have some effect.

How fast Does Pampas Grass Grow?

It grows very quickly, even the varieties that grow slowly. From a pruned plant that is only 6-8 inches over the ground, it can comfortably reach heights of six feet or more during the year.

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