In early fall, more and more of a golden coloration creeps into the leaves.
The grass is planted in the spring or fall.
Because it easily spreads by rhizomes, zebra grass is considered aninvasive plantin many places.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Zebra Grass Care
Miscanthus sinensis’Zebrinus' is a popular option forlow-maintenance landscaping.
Light
Providefull sunfor optimal growth.
If the plant is in too much shade, the leaf blades get floppy.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Keep it upright by staking the grass.
Soil
Zebra grass prefers a soil pH that is roughly neutral.
This grass produces best in moist soils or even boggy riparian edges.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Water
Young zebra grass needs regular watering to get established.
Mulching around the base preserves soil moisture and suppresses reseeding of the grass.
In the cooler zones, give this plant a western exposure in a sheltered area away from cold pockets.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Fertilizer
Zebra grass requires very little fertilizer.
Scattercompostaround the base of the plant or apply a completeall-purpose fertilizeronce in the in the spring.
Types of Chinese Silvergrass
Zebra grass is just one of the cultivars of Chinese silvergrass.
Others include:
Non-Invasive Alternatives
BecauseM.
Pruning
Zebra grass needs annual pruning to make room for the new growth.
Use clean, sharppruners.
The stalks not only provide winter interest but they also protect the root system from chilling temperatures.
Prune zebra grass before dividing it to make it easier to handle.
Potting and Repotting Zebra Grass
Zebra grass in pots makes a nice display on any patio.
Growing it in pots also contains the aggressive growth of its rhizomes.
Plant it in a large container that comfortably fits the root ball plus about four inches for extra growth.
double-check the pot has adequate drainage holes and use well-draining potting soil.
The grass will need substantially more watering than zebra grass in the landscape.
Eithersink the container in the groundfor the winter or build an insulating silo around the pot.
It is prone to fungal diseases, includingpowdery mildewand miscanthus blight.
In some areas of the United States, miscanthus mealybug infests the grass, causing stunted growth.
Zebra grass is a deer-resistant ornamental grass.
Zebra grass is similar to porcupine grass (Miscanthus sinensis’Strictus').
Chinese silvergrass.Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States.
North Carolina State Extension.
Miscanthus sinensis ‘Zebrina’.Missouri Botanical Garden.
