Miscanthus (Miscanthus spp.)

Miscanthus Plant Features

Miscanthus is a bold perennial ornamental grass that's loved for its fountain-like shape that adds wonderful texture to the landscape, especially in late summer and autumn. It's also stunning in large containers and makes for a dramatic showpiece when flanking a front door or walkway. Miscanthus can grow 6 feet tall and 4 feet wide so give it plenty of space in the garden. It's relatively deer resistant, too. Hardy from zones 5-9.

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Miscanthus grows best in full sun and moist, well-drained soil. If it gets too much shade, the plant is likely to get a little floppy and lose its beautiful shape. Once established, miscanthus tolerates drought well, but prefers to grow in soil with consistent moisture. Miscanthus is a relatively slow-growing, clump-forming grass. Dig and divide the grass every three or four years to keep the plant vigorous. Also, clip the foliage back in the late winter before the grass breaks dormancy in the spring.

Miscanthus is not recommended for human or animal consumption.

Water

Medium water needs
Light

Outside: Sun
Colors

Green
Special Features

Colorful foliage

Deer/rabbit resistant

Groundcover

Complement your Plant

Black-Eyed Susan

Black-Eyed Susan and Zebra Grass are a colorful team.

Coneflower

The gorgeous flowers of Coneflower look terrific planted near the striped foliage of Zebra Grass.

Rose, Knock Out

Knock Out Rose and Zebra Grass are a stunning combination.

Our favorite varieties

Little Kitten Maiden Grass

Miscanthus sinensis 'Little Kitten'

A dwarf form of maiden grass, ‘Little Kitten’ grows just 3 feet tall so it works perfectly in small spaces or containers. The narrow green foliage is topped with feathery blonde flower spikes in late summer that provide winter interest in the garden. In the fall, the leaves of ‘Little Kitten’ turn a pretty golden color.

Little Zebra Zebra Grass

Miscanthus sinensis 'Little Zebra'

Bands of gold on a dark green background make ‘Little Zebra’ zebra grass a must-have ornamental grass for landscapes and containers. ‘Little Zebra’ has an upright form and grows 3 to 4 feet tall. In the midsummer, it becomes even more colorful when its feathery, reddish flowers appear.

Morning Light Maiden Grass

Miscanthus sinensis 'Morning Light'

Looking for an ornamental grass with big impact? Try ‘Morning Light’ miscanthus. This bold maiden grass, grows 5 feet tall and has bright green foliage with gorgeous creamy-white margins and veins. Like other maiden grass, ‘Morning Light’ is deer resistant.

Adagio Maiden Grass

Miscanthus sinensis 'Adagio'

Adagio is a dwarf selection that grows about 4 feet tall and wide. It features silver-green foliage that turns a warm shade of told in autumn and silver-pink seedheads in late summer. Zones 5-9

Gracillimus Maiden Grass

Miscanthus sinensis 'Gracillimus'

Gracillimus is a delightful ornamental grass that forms a mound of arching foliage topped by silvery seedheads in late autumn. It provides good winter interest in the landscape. Gracillimus grows 6 feet tall and wide. Zones 5-9

Variegatus Maiden Grass

Miscanthus sinensis 'Variegatus'

This bold ornamental grass has green leaves striped with silvery white. It's topped by silvery seedheads in early autumn. Variegatus grows 6 feet tall and wide. Zones 5-9