Imperata cylindrica

RHS Plant Profile
cogon grass

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Other common names

alang-alang, blady grass, chigaya, coast grass, cotton grass, fushige-chigaya, kunai, lalang

Synonyms

Lagurus cylindricus

Grass Like
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A deciduous grass to 50cm tall, forming a loose clump of erect, linear green leaves. In summer narrow spikes of silvery flowers are produced. Good at the front of a border or in containers

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H4

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Poaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Genus
Imperata are deciduous, rhizomatous perennial grasses, with flat linear leaves which sometimes are brightly coloured and, occasionally, narrow silvery flowering panicles in late summer
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Japan

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil in full sun or partial shade. If growing in containers use a 50/50 mix of peat-free, loam-based potting compost to peat substitute. In cold climates provide a winter mulch

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Low Maintenance
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required. Remove dead foliage and old flowered stems in spring

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free