Miscanthus is drought-resistant and grows best in full sun and rich, well-draining soil.
It’s best planted in the spring, although beware, it is invasive in some regions.
They can tolerate light shade, but you might not see such an impressive flowering display.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
The exceptions are miscanthus species withvariegated foliage.
Too much hot, direct sunlight can scorch the leaves.
Soil
MostMiscanthusspecies grow in various soil conditions and pH levels; they must be well-drained.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Water
Miscanthus are typicallydrought-tolerant plants, so you won’t need to water them often.
Overly wet soils are a problem and can cause plants to die over the winter.
Generally, those species with narrow leaves are a little more drought-tolerant.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
A deep watering occasionally is best when there is an extended period without rainfall.
It should just be enough to dampen the area around the rootball and not leave it soggy.
Excessively cold soil temperatures can damage the plant’s rhizomes, a particular problem while establishing.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
How much cold your miscanthus can handle depends on the species and cultivar you select.
Studies indicate temperatures below 26 degrees Fahrenheit kill the hybrid speciesMiscanthusgiganteus (giant miscanthus), a common cultivar.
Fertilizer
A significant advantage of miscanthusis that it rarely needs additional feeding, especially when mature.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
The extensive rhizomes store enough nutrients to see it through the growing season.
To tidy up clumps and promote healthy new growth, cut back any dead leaves.
To prevent invasive plant growth, remove the seedheads in the early fall.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Propagating Miscanthus
Miscanthusgrows via a spreading,rhizomatous root system.
A standard method of propagation is to divide the rhizomes.
Here’show to divide:
How to Grow Miscanthus From Seed
Miscanthus can also be grown from seed.
Germination is relatively fast, usually occurring within two weeks.
Miscanthus can handle cool temperatures for germination (as low as 50 degrees Fahrenheit).
Germination rates reduce once temperatures rise warmer than 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
It’s best to transplant in the spring before peak heat begins.
Overwintering
Miscanthus is a perennial grass, returning in the spring.
Leave the foliage on the plants through the winter to protect the crowns from the cold.
Cut away old growth just before new growth emerges in spring.
Cut back the plants to a few inches above the ground.
The plant may occasionally get mealybugs, which are challenging to treat because the pests hide inside the stems.
Try using horticultural oil toremove mealybugs.
A particular fungal disease, miscanthus blight, can attack the grass blades.
If possible, only water the grass at the base, not from overhead.
Fungal diseases can be treated with systemic or spray fungicides.
What Do Miscanthus Flowers Look and Smell Like?
The scentless flowers are tan to rust-colored.
How to Encourage More Blooms
Miscanthus blooms best when planted in full sun.
The soil must be moist and well-drained.
If you grow this plant in even the lightest shade, you will not have as many flowers.
A soggy and wet winter may also affect the number of blooms your miscanthus will display.
The seed heads develop in the late summer and fall and last through the winter into spring.
This can also be a problem if you aren’t selective about where you position your miscanthus.
For example, don’t plant it under ashade tree.
Select a partial shade spot with filtered light to prevent this, but only for variegated varieties.
Fast-growingMiscanthusspecies usually reach their maximum height and spread within their first few years.
Depending on the species and cultivar, their ultimate size varies from around two to 12 feet tall.
Silvergrass can live for 15 to 20 years with the right care and conditions.
Chinese silvergrass (Miscanthus sinensis).
How Cold Weather Impacts Miscanthus.
Iowa State University Extension.
GCB Bioenergy, 14(7), 756-775. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcbb.12941
