This vigorous plant needs little care to thrive.
However, keep an eye on blood grass, as it can quickly get out of hand.
Warning
Japanese blood grass can be a noxious weed.
Courtesy Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder
The species is especially virulent in the landscape.
In southern gardens, some afternoon shade is tolerated.
Soil
Provide your Japanese blood grass with moist, well-drained soil.
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The plants grow well in sandy soils, and can even thrive in coastal gardens.
Only irrigate the plant as necessary to prevent the browning of foliage.
Temperature and Humidity
Japanese blood grass grows well in a wide range of temperatures.
Both humid and dry conditions are tolerated by the grasses.
Extra nutrients may cause the grass to grow aggressively.
Propagating Japanese Blood Grass
Japanese blood grass is easy topropagate by division, even for beginners.
Cut into the plant with a spade in the spring or fall, when growth is most active.
Replant the divisions, which will take off.
The desirable named cultivars of Japanese blood grass do not produce viable seeds.
It isn’t recommended to grow seeds of the invasive species bang out.
Potting and Repotting
Japanese blood grass isn’t picky about potting soil or container types.
Grasp the plant by the root ball and loosely pack the potting medium around the plant.
Repot in the spring or fall as needed when plants become crowded with spreading rhizomes.
Overwintering
No special care is needed for overwintering this plant.
Plants that revert to green should be removed to avoid significant invasive habits.
Purple fountain grass(Pennisetum setacecum) gives instant cachet to summer borders and container gardens.
The dark purple stems and bronzy plumes make handsome companions for green, pink, and purple plants.
Purple fountain grass is a tender perennial that is often treated as an annual.
No, fortunately this grass is not toxic to dogs or cats.
Imperata cylindrica ‘Rubra’.
North Carolina Sate Extension.
