Plants
Chinese Silver Grass
Miscanthus sinensis · Poaceae
Chinese silver grass is the backbone of the modern grass garden: upright clumps, silvery shimmering plumes from late summer and a winter silhouette you will be grateful for in January. It grows in clumps — without the runner worries of true reed — and is one of the most uncomplicated perennials we know. Only one thing is decisive: cutting it back at the right time.
- Light
- Full sun; the more light, the sturdier and more floriferous.
- Watering
- Moderate to moist; established clumps tolerate summer drought but reward even moisture.
- Care level
- Easy
- Botanical
- Miscanthus sinensis
Unlike its German name suggests, Chinese silver grass has nothing to do with rampant pond reed: Miscanthus grows as a tidy clump that gains girth year by year but stays in place. Depending on the variety, the range runs from 1.2 metres (‚Kleine Fontäne‘) to over 2.5 metres (‚Malepartus‘ and giant Miscanthus) — a living, summer-green privacy screen without any rhizome barrier.
From August, the feathery plumes rise above the foliage, first reddish-silver, later fluffed up creamy white. In autumn the foliage turns golden yellow to coppery red. We explicitly advise against “tidying up” the grass in autumn: the dry stems are winter protection for the clump, shelter for beneficial insects — and dusted with hoarfrost simply the most beautiful sight your garden has to offer in January.
Cutting happens only in late winter, late February to early March, just before new growth appears: cut all stems back to a hand's width above the ground. Wear gloves and long sleeves — the leaf edges are as sharp as paper. If you bundle the clump with string first, the cut is done in minutes.
On the Lower Rhine, Chinese silver grass feels thoroughly at home: it loves sun, copes well with our loamy soils and is absolutely winter-hardy. It only turns shy of flowering in two situations — in shade and under summer drought stress. As a specimen, in the perennial border or planted in a row as a rhythm-setter, it is one of the most rewarding structural plants of all.
Is Chinese Silver Grass toxic to children and pets?
- Children
- Non-toxic
- Cats
- Non-toxic
- Dogs
- Non-toxic
Chinese silver grass is non-toxic to cats, dogs and children. The only caution: the leaf edges are sharp and can cause cuts — wear gloves when cutting back.
Overview: toxic & non-toxic plants for cats, dogs and children
Care
- 01Plant in full sun — in shade the clump stays floppy and flowers poorly.
- 02Nutrient-rich, moist garden soil is ideal; water regularly in the first year.
- 03Do not cut in autumn: the stems protect the clump from winter wet and adorn the winter garden.
- 04Cut back in late February to early March to a hand's width above the ground — with gloves, the leaf edges are sharp.
- 05Divide older clumps that go bald in the centre with a spade in spring — this rejuvenates and propagates at once.
Frequently asked
- When do you cut back Chinese silver grass?
- Only in late winter, late February to early March, just before new growth — all stems to a hand's width above the ground. An autumn cut does double damage: the clump loses its protection against winter wet and you lose the finest winter silhouette in the garden.
- Does Chinese silver grass spread like true reed?
- No. Miscanthus sinensis grows in clumps and stays in place — it only gets wider over the years and forms no long runners. A rhizome barrier is unnecessary. To downsize a clump that has grown too large, simply cut into it with a spade in spring.
- Why is my Chinese silver grass not flowering?
- Usually it lacks sun — in partial shade many varieties skip the plumes. Young plants also often need two or three years before their first full bloom, and summer drought stress costs plumes too. A sunny spot, even moisture and a little patience solve the problem almost every time.