Zebra grass, a cultivar of Chinese silvergrass, is a favorite among the ornamental grasses, and with good reason. It stands tall (with an arching form) as a green sentinel in your landscape all summer, then it puts out tiny white blooms, followed by seed head plumes that offer late-season interest.

This grass also has stunning variegated leaves with creamy golden stripes that cut horizontally across the otherwise green blades of grass. In early fall, more and more of a golden coloration creeps into the leaves.

The grass is planted in the spring or fall. In regions with early or severe winters, spring planting is recommended to give the grass sufficient time to get established in its first season. Because it easily spreads by rhizomes, zebra grass is considered an invasive plant in many places.

Common Name Zebra grass
Botanical Name Miscanthus sinensis ‘Zebrinus‘
Family Poaceae
Plant Type Perennial
Mature Size 7 ft. tall, 3-5 ft. wide
Sun Exposure Full
Soil Type Loamy, clay, sand
Soil pH Neutral
Bloom Time Summer
Flower Color White
Hardiness Zones 5-9 (USDA)
Native Area Cultivar, no native range

Zebra Grass Care

Miscanthus sinensis ‘Zebrinus’ is a popular option for low-maintenance landscaping. Here are the main care requirements for growing zebra grass:

  • Plant it in a location with full sun and ideally moist soil with a neutral pH.
  • Space plants three to five feet apart.
  • Water young plants only until they are established.
  • Add compost or fertilize once in the spring.
  • Cut dead stalks back in late winter or early spring.

Warning

Zebra grass spreads quickly and is considered an invasive species mostly in the eastern United States, including Alabama, Connecticut, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Light

Provide full sun for optimal growth. If the plant is in too much shade, the leaf blades get floppy. 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.

Water

Young zebra grass needs regular watering to get established. Although the mature grass thrives in moist soil, it is drought-tolerant and only requires watering during extended dry periods. Mulching around the base preserves soil moisture and suppresses reseeding of the grass.

Temperature and Humidity

Most warm-season ornamental grasses thrive with warmer soil temperatures at about 70 to 90 degrees and air temperatures even a little hotter. In the cooler zones, give this plant a western exposure in a sheltered area away from cold pockets.

Fertilizer

Zebra grass requires very little fertilizer. Scatter compost around the base of the plant or apply a complete all-purpose fertilizer once in the in the spring.

Types of Chinese Silvergrass

Zebra grass is just one of the cultivars of Chinese silvergrass. Others include:

  • M. sinensis ‘Gracillimus’ grows up 5 to 6 feet tall showcasing purple flower plumes during the summer that change to silver in the cooler months.
  • M. sinensis ‘Flamingo’ grows up 5 to 6 feet tall with rose-pink flower plumes throughout the summer, changing to a silvery white in the winter months.
  • M. sinensis ‘Strictus,’ also known as porcupine grass, grows 6 to 8 feet tall and offers variegated foliage with pinkish-colored plumes.
  • M. sinensis ‘Silberfeder’ grows up to 8 feet tall with variegated foliage and pinkish-silver plumes appearing in the late summer which turn white in the cooler months.

Non-Invasive Alternatives

Because M. sinensis is often invasive, you may want to consider a sterile cultivar or one with reduced fertility, such as ‘Scout’ and ‘My Fair Maiden.’

Pruning

Zebra grass needs annual pruning to make room for the new growth. Use clean, sharp pruners.

Instead of cutting the grass all the way back in the fall when the plant goes dormant, leave the dead stalks standing until late winter or early spring. The stalks not only provide winter interest but they also protect the root system from chilling temperatures.

Propagating Zebra Grass

To propagate or revitalize a healthy plant, divide zebra grass every few years, either in the early spring when the plant breaks dormancy or right before or right after the bloom. Prune zebra grass before dividing it to make it easier to handle.

  1. Dig up the entire clump with a pointed shovel or a spade.
  2. Turn the plant on its side so you can see the roots.
  3. Rinse the tangled mass of roots with water to remove the soil. This allows you to see any damaged or diseased roots.
  4. Split the plant (in half or even thirds, depending on the size of the clump) by cutting through it with the pointed tip of the shovel.
  5. Remove any damaged or diseased roots with gardening shears.
  6. Replant the sections in new locations at the same depth as the original plant. Water immediately and keep it moist the plant is sending up lots of new shoots.

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.

Make sure 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.

The grass typically fills the container within one season and will need to be divided or repotted to a larger pot every spring.

Overwintering

Zebra grass is hardy to USDA zone 5 and does not require winter protection in the landscape. The only exception is zebra grass which is planted in a container where its roots are insufficiently protected against the cold so it needs winterization.

Either sink the container in the ground for the winter or build an insulating silo around the pot.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases

Zebra grass, like most ornamental grasses, needs good air circulation and full sun to stay healthy. It is prone to fungal diseases, including powdery mildew and 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.

FAQ

    • There are several non-invasive plants native to North America that can be planted instead of using zebra grass. These include switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), wood grass (Sorghastrum nutans), and big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii ).

    • Zebra grass, along with other ornamental grasses, helps prevent erosion due to its clumping and deep root systems which hold the soil in place.

    • Ornamental grasses tend to be more flammable than other plants due to the fact that they have dry and dead stalks in the cooler months. If you’re in a high-risk fire area, take this into consideration before planting this type of plant.

    • Zebra grass is similar to porcupine grass (Miscanthus sinensis ‘Strictus’). Both have horizontal stripes but zebra grass has more of an arching habit and might need staking, whereas porcupine grass is more upright.