How to Grow and Care for Golden Japanese Forest Grass

Golden Japanese Forest Grass Care

Here are the main care requirements for growing golden Japanese Forest Grass:

• Choose a location in partial to full shade.
• Plant in rich, fertile soil with an average to acidic pH.
• Keep it watered regularly, at least the first year.
• Remove old leaves in early spring to make room for the new growth.

Light

Japanese forest grass likes shade. The brightest gold color is seen if this plant is grown in part shade. It can survive full sun to full shade; however, full sun will cause the leaves to turn white or scorch, while in shadier spots, the leaves tend to turn lime-green.

Soil

Japanese forest grass likes rich, fertile soil with an average to acidic pH (6.0 to 7.0). It will not be happy in either heavy, wet soils or dry, sandy soil.

Water

It helps the plant to become established if you keep it watered regularly, at least the first year. Keep this plant moist but not soggy. A thick layer of mulch around the base of the plant will help preserve soil moisture.

Temperature and Humidity

Golden Japanese forest grass is reliably perennial in USDA hardiness zones 5 to 9. It thrives in the heat and humidity conditions as well as the winter climate over this range.

Fertilizer

Provided the soil is healthy and rich in organic matter, the grass should not need any supplemental feeding. In poorer soils, feed it once in the spring after new growth appears. For the amount to use, follow product label instructions.

Types of Golden Japanese Forest Grass

• ‘Aureola’ is the most commonly grown cultivar. The gorgeous golden variegated foliage turns copper-orange in the fall.
• ‘Albo Striata’ (’Albovariegata’) has green leaves with white stripes. More sun tolerant than the gold and grows a bit faster.
• ‘Beni Kaze’ (‘Benikaze’) means “red wind” in Japanese. This one is solid green during the growing season but turns shades of red in the fall.
• ‘All Gold’ is a low-growing cultivar with bright golden yellow foliage that grows only 18 inches tall and wide. It spreads slowly by rhizomes, making it a good ground cover for shady areas.

Pruning

In more moderate climates, the old leaves will brown and rot slightly. In either case, old leaves should be removed in early spring to allow the new growth to come through unhindered. This grass isn’t one that provides winter interest.

Propagating Japanese Forest Grass

After the grass is fully established, which can take 2 to 3 years, you can divide clumps in the spring when new foliage starts to grow.

1. Dig out the entire clump with a shovel.
2. Divide the clump into smaller sections that each have a good amount of new growth.
3. Replant the sections promptly at the same depth as the original plant. Water immediately and keep the divisions well-watered until they are established.

Potting and Repotting Golden Japanese Forest Grass

Japanese forest grass makes a wonderful container plant, maintaining its size for many years and softening pots by cascading over the edges. Use a container that is about 4 inches larger than the root ball to allow for 2 to 3 years of growth before repotting it. Make sure the container has large drainage holes. Fill the container with well-draining potting mix. Keep in mind that potted plants need more frequent watering and fertilizer that plants in garden soil. Golden Japanese forest grass in containers also needs to be winterized.

After 2 to 3 years, when the roots have reached the sides or the container or grow out of the drainage holes, repot the grass to a larger container with fresh potting soil in the spring.

Overwintering

When planted in the landscape, golden Japanese forest grass is winter-hardy to zone 5 and does not need any winter protection. Container plants, however, need winterization, as their roots are exposed to the cold. Burying the container in the ground provides the best insulation but might not be practical due to the size of the pot. You can also move the grass to an unheated garage during the winter.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases

Golden Japanese forest grass is rarely affected by serious pests or diseases and is not browsed by deer.

Common Problems with Golden Japanese Forest Grass

If the grass is planted in too much sun or in a hot climate, it can develop scorched, brown leaves. Keeping it well-watered and pruning off dead leaves can help somewhat but in the long run, it should be moved to a location where it gets more shade.