How To Grow Pampas Grass From Seed

Check out how to grow the pampas grass from seed if you plan to give your yard a flowy and feathery look.

Planting the seeds of Pampas Grass is easy to do. There are 2 ways to do so, either indoor or outdoor. Choose what will work best for your pampas grass.

When to plant pampas grass?

Pampas Grass needs lots of light and little amount of water because it belongs to the warm season variety. Plant it in spring to make it thrive.

How to Grow Pampas Grass from Seed

1. Outdoor

Planting the seeds of Pampas Grass outdoor works best during the warm season.

Materials to Prepare

Step 1: Pick the Right Planting Site

Choose a wide area receiving full sun to partial shade. Pampas grass needs at least a half-day of sunlight for optimal growth.

Plant it away from roads and playing areas. This sharp-edged grass turns up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) wide and 10 feet (3 meters) tall.

Step 2: Prepare the Soil

Pampas grass thrives well in a rich and well-draining soil. Cultivate the soil using a shovel or rake.

Put amendments to fertilize the soil. Add organic compost, cured manure, or peat moss to the soil.

Step 3: Sow the Seeds

Directly place the seeds at the surface of the soil. Do not cover them because they need light to germinate.

Loosen the surface of the ground to prevent the air from blowing the seeds away. Stand a net above the soil to prevent the birds from eating the seeds.

Step 4: Water Very Lightly

Gently water until the seeds begin to grow. The seeds usually take 25 to 30 days to germinate.

Avoid forceful spray of water as it can wash the seeds away.

2. Indoor

Grow the Pampas Grass seeds indoors during winter months.

Materials to prepare:

Pampas Grass seeds
Nursery pot or any container
Potting soil or seed starting mix
Clear plastic dome/bag
Water Spray

Step 1: Ready the Planting Pot

Place a porous potting mix in a medium-sized pot or other containers. Aerate the growing medium by lightly raking it.

Check the pot if it has adequate drainage openings. Drill a few holes in the base of the container to let excess water flow out.

Step 2: Plant the Seeds

Lightly scatter the seeds into the surface but do not cover them with soil.

Step 3: Cover the Container with a Clear Plastic Dome

Seal the container with a colorless plastic dome after gently watering the seeds. The cover will help maintain the moisture.

Placing the planter in a clear plastic bag is an alternative method to prevent moisture loss.

Step 4: Place the Planter in a Sunny Area

Put the container in a bright spot where it will receive six to eight hours of natural light.

Step 5: Mist the Soil Daily

Lightly mist the soil every day to keep the moisture needed by the seeds to germinate. Do not let the soil dry out or drowns in water.

Too dry soil won’t supply sufficient nutrients and water to the seeds. While too wet soil can lead to the rotting of the seeds.

Step 6: Transplant the Seeds Outdoor

Relocate the pampas grass once it grows 3 to 4 inches tall. Place it in the holes with width and depth 3 times the size of the root structure.

How to Care for Pampas Grass

1. Water Moderately on the Primary Years

Water sparingly the pampas grass in its first few years to develop a healthy root system. The amount of water will depend on the size of the plant, location, and time of the year.

Watering is unnecessary if the pampas grass becomes well established. But it might need extra moisture during drought-like periods.

2. Fertilize Four Times a Year

Feed the pampas grass with a balanced fertilizer four times a year for abundant growth. Apply about 2 pounds (0.9 kilograms) of 8-8-8 or 10-10-10 types in every 100 square feet (30 square meters) of land.

Avoid overfertilizing as it results in the build-up of excess salt and minerals. This formation results in the flopping and yellowing of the leaves.

3. Prune the Foliage in the Early Spring

Using a trimmer, remove the old and dead parts of the Pampas Grass to encourage new growth. Cut back 4 to 6 inches (0.1 to 0.15 meters) of the leaves for the best appearance.

Do not prune the pampas grass in the winter because the foliage helps insulate its crown. Also, suit up your protective gear when trimming this grass.

4. Divide the Clumps

Separate clumps of the pampas grass using a sharp shovel to improve its aesthetics and overall growth. Do this after pruning, before new sprouts occur.

Plant the newly sliced clump elsewhere that is properly spaced from other plants. Regularly water the transplanted clump and watch it thrive.

5. Shield the Roots from Chill Damage

Put some layer of mulch or straw over the roots of the pampas grass before the cold season. This procedure will protect them from freezing temperatures that can kill them.

6. Watch out for Pests and Diseases

Regularly inspect the leaves of pampas grass. Spray a fungicide if you find spots, though this infestation occurs rarely.

Always check the grass as unwanted organisms might live in its large foliage.

FAQs

1. Is Pampas grass easy to grow?

Yes, growing pampas grass requires a little effort. Sow the seeds in a bright location during the Spring season.

2. How long does it take ornamental grass to grow from seed?

Ornamental seeds usually start to sprout about 10 to 20 days after being sown. Seeds take a long period to germinate in some cases.

3. Does Pampas Grass come back every year?

Yes, pampas grass begins to grow again every year. It happens later in the Spring when air and temperature become warmer.

4. Why is Pampas Grass bad?

Pampas grass is an invasive plant that invades plants and damages grazing sites. It also becomes a fire threat. Learn how to get rid of it here.

Conclusion

Growing pampas grass from seeds is easy. Sow the seeds outdoor or indoor depending on what applies best to the current season.

Sow the seeds in a sunny location during Spring time and watch it thrive.