Massive South American clump-forming ornamental grass reaching 3 m with sharp-edged arching leaves and tall plumes of silvery-white (or pink) flower heads through autumn. Spectacular but seriously invasive across much of the warm temperate world.
Hardiness ratings
| System | Rating | Temperature range | How to read it |
|---|---|---|---|
| USDA hardiness zone | Zone 7–11 | −17.8 °C to 10 °C | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
| RHS hardiness rating | H4 | −10 °C to −5 °C | Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance |
| Canadian plant hardiness zone | Zone 8–9 | −7 °C and warmer | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
| Australian (ANBG) zone | Zone 3–7 | −5 °C and warmer | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
Growing notes
- Native to the pampas grasslands of Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and Chile
- WARNING: Listed INVASIVE in California (where it is banned), Hawaii, southern Europe, southern Australia, and New Zealand — wind-dispersed seed colonises bushland, roadsides, and dunes, do not plant in those regions; sterile dwarf cultivars (‘Pumila’) are safer
- Leaves have razor-sharp serrated edges — wear gloves and long sleeves to handle
- Cut down to ground each spring before new growth — burn or chip rather than compost the dry foliage
Categories
Related plants
Cross-check Pampas grass against your zones