How to Plant and Grow Pampas Grass

Few plants make as bold a statement in a large landscape as pampas grass. At maturity, the ornamental grass stretches 8- to 12 feet tall with showy flowers that open in August and last through February. Most often grown in clumps, it works well as the center of a landscape bed or as a living screen.

Pampas grass grows rapidly—a habit that is both attractive and potentially problematic. In rich soil and mild climates, pampas grass can quickly fill an otherwise barren space with little need for supplemental watering or fertilization. What's more, even though the drought-tolerant, disease-resistant perennial grass dies back in the winter in most climates, it happily returns when the weather begins to warm.

Unfortunately, because it self-seeds easily and swiftly spreads to form dense colonies, pampas grass can also become invasive. In fact, it is estimated that a single pampas grass stand produces millions of seeds each year—which catch the wind and blow several miles from the parent plant. With thoughtful care, however, pampas grass makes a stunning garden focal point.

Where to Plant Pampas Grass

Pampas grass is a hard-working landscape plant. Plant it in the center of a garden bed to create a fountain of greenery topped by fluffy plumes. Use it to create a living screen or a border backdrop by planting a few pampas grass plants in a clump or several in a row.

Look for a sunny location, but use caution when planting it near walkways, patios, and gathering areas. The leaves of pampas grass have sharp, knife-like edges that may harm passersby or make narrow spaces impassable.

Pampas grass is also good for erosion control and is often used to stabilize stream banks and coastal landscapes. Pampas grass is deer-resistant and—thanks to its sharp foliage—can be used at garden edges to prevent hungry deer and other wildlife from wandering in.

How and When to Plant Pampas Grass

If you are growing pampas grass from seed, you will want to start the seeds indoors between February and April. Plant pampas grass starts outside in the late spring after the threat of frost has passed—typically from April through mid-June.

To plant a seedling or small plant, dig a hole the same depth and width as the plant’s root ball and sprinkle a well-balanced fertilizer in the hole. Place your plant and fill in the space around the roots evenly with soil. Firmly tamp down the soil and water the new plant thoroughly.

Pampas grass plants need lots of room to spread and mature plants can stretch to 8 feet wide. Plan to give each pampas grass plant you place in the ground at least 8 to 10 feet, or—if you are planting them to form a privacy hedge—6 to 8 feet.

Pampas Grass Care Tips

Pampas grass is easy to grow, drought-tolerant, and deer resistant. It has few pest problems and grows fast—sometimes too fast. Think carefully about where you plant it and ask your local nursery about sterile pampas grass plants to prevent your ornamental planting from becoming an invasion.  

Light

Pampas grass grows best in full sun and well-drained soil. It will tolerate light shade, but dense shade will cause it to become floppy.

Soil and Water

Pampas grass prefers loamy, moist, well-draining soil, but is tolerant of many environments and pH levels. That said, if your soil is very heavy and clay-like, you may want to incorporate some compost or other organic matter to improve drainage.

Newly planted pampas grass should be watered once every couple of weeks during the first growing season. Once established, however, pampas grass is fairly drought tolerant and may not need supplemental watering at all in some regions.

Temperature and Humidity

Since pampas grass is hardy in zones 7 through 11, it thrives best in temperatures between 65- and 95 degrees Fahrenheit. In the winter, when temperatures dip, the plant will go dormant. If the thermometer drops to 20 degrees Fahrenheit or below, frost damage can occur, but it is unlikely to kill the plant. To mitigate damage when you suspect a deep frost, add a layer of mulch to the soil and tie the pampas grass stalks together.

Fertilizer

Fertilizer is not required for pampas grass, but you can add compost to the soil to improve drainage and boost growth by adding a little balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) when planting new plants. For the amount to use, follow product label instructions.

Pruning

Prune pampas grass to the ground in late winter to remove the previous year's foliage and make way for new growth. Power hedge shears are often the best tool for pruning the plant's dense growth at ground level. Pampas grass has sharp blades, so use goggles and gloves and protect your limbs with a long-sleeve shirt and jeans.

Pests and Problems

Pampas grass plants are generally resistant to most pests and diseases, but aphids and mites can be an issue. If you see them, consider using insecticidal soap.

Pampas grass may also fall victim to powdery mildew, rust, and anthracnose. These issues can be avoided by providing an area with full sun, well-draining soil, and good circulation.

How to Propagate Pampas Grass

With the exception of sterile plants, pampas grass is self-seeding and can easily be grown from seed or propagated by division.

To grow pampas grass plants from seed, start them indoors in early spring (from February to April). Prepare a grow tray with rich, well-draining soil and place the seeds on top covering them only slightly. Place the tray in a plastic bag and keep it in an area with bright, indirect sunlight. Within about three weeks, the seeds should begin to germinate. Once the seedlings have grown to at least 1 to 2 inches in length, thin them and repot them into larger containers. They can be planted outdoors in late spring or early summer.

To propagate your pampas grass through division—your best bet if you are growing a sterile pampas grass plant—plan to do so in late winter or early spring before new growth appears. Use a shovel to dig around the roots and cut away a clump from the root system. Dig up the clump and separate the roots with a sharpened tool. Replant the new clump immediately (at least 8 to 10 feet from the original planting).

Types of Pampas Grass

Dwarf Pampas Grass

Cortaderia selloana 'Pumila,' also know as 'Ivory Feathers,' is a dwarf variation of pampas grass that grows 3- to 5-feet tall and 4- to 6-feet wide. It has long stalks of dramatic, creamy white plumes held above green foliage. This smaller form is well-suited for small landscapes and is hardy in Zones 7–11.

'Rose Feder' Pampas Grass

Commonly known as pink pampas grass, this cultivar produces fairylike plums of pink on stalks that stand 6 to 10 feet tall on average. It is easy to grow in Zones 8-10 and can be grown as a tender perennial in Zone 7, but use caution. This type of pampas grass is known for being invasive in some regions.

Companion Plants for Pampas Grass

Cannas

Tall and tropical-looking, cannas add bold texture alongside the wispy stalks of pampas grass. Cannas enjoy many of the same conditions as pampas grass including warm temperatures and full sun. They are also quite large and some cultivars stretch up to 8 feet tall and 6 feet wide. Cannas are hardy in zones 9 through 10.

Coreopsis

Like pampas grass, coreopsis is highly adaptable and grows in almost any garden setting. They are lower-growing plants at just 1 to 4 feet tall, but bring splashes of yellow, orange, red, or pink to the garden during their fall and summer bloom season.  Coreopsis is hardy in Zones 3 through 9.

Liatris

Liatris is another tall stunner that features eye-catching wands of pink and purple blooms in the summer and fall. Like pampas grass, liatris tolerates heat and drought but also survives winters and returns to full glory the following year. Liatris is hardy in Zones 3 through 9.