Cortaderia selloana

RHS Plant Profile
pampas grass

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pampas grass RHS

Other common names

pampas grass 'Argentea'

Synonyms

Arundo selloana, Cortaderia argentea, Cortaderia selloana 'Alba', Cortaderia selloana 'Argentea', Gynerium argenteum

Grass Like
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A densely tufted, clump-forming, evergreen perennial grass, to around 2.5-3m in height, with arching, sharply toothed, blue-green leaves, to 2.5m or more long. Upright stems produce pyramidal to oblong plume-like panicles of glistening silver-white spikelets, often flushed with pink or purple, in late summer and early autumn

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
1.5-2.5 metres
Max Height
2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or North–facing or East–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)
H6
Drought Resistance
Yes

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Poaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Tufted
Genus
Cortaderia are robust evergreen grasses forming large, compact tufts of narrowly linear, rough-edged leaves, with erect stems bearing dense silvery or pink-tinged flower panicles which are excellent for drying
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Temp. S America

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, deep, well-drained soil in full sun, and cover with a deep dry mulch to protect plants from frost in their first winter; choose planting positions carefully, because they need plenty of space, because of the sharp leaf edges, and because seedlings can be invasive; for more advice, see ornamental grasses cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by seed, sown at 13-18°C in spring, or by division in late spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Coastal
  • Gravel garden
  • Prairie planting
  • Architectural
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Hedging and screens

Pruning

Cut and comb out the last year's flower stems and dead leaves in late winter or early spring; wear gloves as protection from the sharp leaf edges

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free