Asked on Apr 26, 2014
How do you care for Pampas Grass?
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We purchased two Pampas Grass plants years ago and other than sticking them into the ground have done very little to them. I am unsure how to care for pampas grass. Can you remove the dead grass within at any time? When can you cut them back if ever? Do you cut the Plumes? Help of any sort would be appreciated.
9 answers
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Pampas grass makes it almost impossible for you to do anything because of its razor-sharp blades. If you want to attempt pruning, it should be done in the late winter before new growth begins. Make sure that you are wearing a heavy coat and long, heavy gloves. That is also the time to fertilize, with a slow-release 8-8-8 or 10-10-10 fertilizer. If you want to harvest the plumes for decoration, do so as soon as they emerge.
Douglas Hunt
on Apr 27, 2014
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Pompass grass is as vicious as it is beautiful (like roses!) I have some that are now 20 years old, and all I ever did to them was plant and leave them alone. As they got older I would pull out the plumes when they dried out in the winter, but that's it. I love my pompous grass!
Sandra M
on Apr 27, 2014
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After a 3-yr. stint between my sidewalk and fence, mine had to be chemically destroyed because it had become so invasive. I tried to thin it out, but could not even get a spade through its root system.
Sally Roesner Fuhr
on Apr 27, 2014
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Thanks for the answers, but I'm still hoping for more ideas. Such as. . .How far back do you prune your Pampas Grass? Do you remove the Plumes completely? Is this done once yearly? More or less? Thanks to everyone who has responded so far!
Tamara McMillan
on Apr 27, 2014
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my neighbor always used weed eater in the fall.
Marie S
on Apr 27, 2014
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Thanks for your response! That would definitely be a safer quick way to handle it!
Tamara McMillan
on Apr 27, 2014
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We have two that are about 2-3 years old. Last fall they were 12-14 feet tall. Hubby cut them back to two feet tall early this spring and they are coming back just fine. I've seen them with the centers cut out and even burned out to make room for new growth. I'm not really sure what they will do, but we were told to cut them back either in the fall or early spring. We never remove the plumes because we like looking at them.
Cathy Murphy
on Apr 27, 2014
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Thank-you for your thoughts and information! I am guessing I will just clean out the dead looking stuff and leave them alone until early next Spring season.
Tamara McMillan
on Apr 27, 2014
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Try fertilizing well. Even though they become hardy, younger plants do need water and fertilizer. Mine were puny and I was told to make a hole beside the plant and insert a slow release fertilizer and water vigorously. I had plumes that year. I know some who have planted in more ideal areas whose pampas grass is so full, they burn it down each year and it comes back just fine. I was also told, since mine were young, to clip away the old to make room for the new until it became firmly established. Then you can be more vigorous in pruning. I live in VA. Warmer climates are probably more ideal.
Helen
on Apr 28, 2014
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