How to plant and grow pampas grass by seedling method to decorate your garden

Pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana) is considered the queen of grasses. This powerful ornamental grass is most often grown as a decorative plant, though sometimes it is used as fodder for livestock. The tall shoots of Cortaderia serve all summer as a beautiful backdrop for other plants or can act as a living screen, hiding unattractive spots. It will adorn and transform any plot. To accelerate growth, pampas grass is often cultivated through seedlings.



Pampas grass is a species of grass native to South America, where it grows abundantly as a weed. In its homeland, the vast steppes where this grass and other grasses thrive are called pampas — hence the name.

It is a perennial plant with a highly decorative appearance, which is why pampas grass is widely used in landscape design. Its main highlight is the fluffy panicles, which can be colored in various shades. In some varieties, the inflorescences can reach up to one meter in length.

In our climate, a mature plant grows 2–3 meters tall and just as wide. Pampas grass has male and female plants. Female flowers are more spectacular, while male ones are less showy. Blooming lasts from August to October.

When growing pampas grass from seed, keep in mind:

• About half of the seedlings will produce male flowers, which are less decorative.
• The first flowering occurs in the 3rd–4th year.
• In our conditions, it is difficult to obtain seeds, as they often fail to ripen.
• Cortaderia is dioecious, so to collect your own seeds you need both male and female plants.

 

Preparing the seeds

Seeds can be purchased or collected yourself (only in southern regions). They are small and light. Freshly harvested seeds must be dried before storage.

When buying seeds, pay attention to the harvest year indicated on the packet. Germination decreases over time. The packet should be dry, intact, and fresh. The newer the seeds, the better the chance of germination.

Before sowing, seeds must be stratified for 1–2 months at 0 to +4 °C. In nature, this happens during winter; at home, you can imitate the process in a refrigerator.

Stratification means keeping seeds under a moist layer at a set temperature. The vegetable drawer of a fridge is convenient for this. Before sowing, soak seeds for 15 minutes in a weak solution of potassium permanganate or “Fitosporin,” then rinse in running water.


 

Sowing pampas grass (Cortaderia) seeds in 9 steps

• Use seedling trays no higher than 10 cm, or plastic containers with drainage holes.
• Soil should be loose and fertile — a mix of peat, sand, and universal potting soil, with some vermiculite added.
• Spread seeds evenly on the surface without covering them.
• Mix seeds with a handful of sand for even distribution.
• Keep spacing at about 1 cm.
• Press seeds lightly into the soil with your fingers.
• Moisten with a spray bottle.
• Cover with a lid, film, or glass to create greenhouse conditions.
• Place the container in a bright, warm spot.

You can also sow in peat tablets, placing several seeds in each. Once they sprout, keep only the strongest seedlings. Germination occurs in 12–20 days at +20…+23 °C.


 

Growing pampas grass seedlings at home

Pricking out

Diseases and pests

7 tips for caring for pampas grass

1. Two weeks before planting outdoors, harden seedlings by gradually increasing time outside.
2. Plant in April–May, only after the risk of frost has passed.
3. Choose a sunny, sheltered spot without waterlogging. Use drainage if soil is heavy.
4. After planting, water regularly to help root development. Pampas grass tolerates short droughts but not excess moisture.
5. In pots outdoors, water more frequently and abundantly.
6. Feed regularly with balanced fertilizers (NPK). First feeding in open soil — no earlier than 1.5 months after planting.
7. The first winter may be critical. Move seedlings to an unheated greenhouse, cellar, or cover them warmly and dry. From the second year, plants can overwinter outdoors.

Now you know how to sow pampas grass and care for it in open ground, so you can easily grow it on your plot.