With its pretty stripes, the zebra grass brings a distinctive structure to the garden pond or in the front yard. So it's not surprising that it's extremely popular again at the moment. In addition, given its ease of care, it is also particularly interesting for plant beginners.

Zebra grass belongs to the Chinese reed family

origin

Because of its name, one might almost be tempted to locate the zebra grass in the African region of origin. However, if you keep in mind that within the sweet grass family it belongs to the species of Chinese reed, it becomes clear that it originally came from the Far East. This specific species, botanically Miscanthus sinensis 'Zebrinus', has been imported from Japan. Since it also knows four seasons in its original habitat and especially frosty winters, it gets along well in our Central European climate.

growth

As a member of the Chinese reeds, the zebra grass also shows a correspondingly reed-like growth. It grows upright and bushy and forms quite dense clumps with short, horizontal rhizomes. Overall, the zebra grass can grow up to two meters high. The culms, which taper upwards, do not branch out, but fan out within the leaf tuff in some places and hang slightly over, which makes for an imposing impression, especially when fully grown.

leaves

Not only does the raised, wide-spread growth make the zebra grass a very attractive front garden plant, but above all, of course, the appearance of the leaves themselves. With their long, narrow, lanceolate shape and entire margins, they draw a very defined, clear contour that makes the grass look almost chic. The special eye-catcher are the eponymous horizontal stripes, which stand out in pale yellow against the fresh green background. However, this coloring only occurs during the growing season over the summer. With the onset of autumn, the leaves take on a brown-gold color.

blossom

In this country, zebra grass rarely flowers. And if they do, they don't appear until late in the growing season, around August to October. They appear as silver-white panicles with felty hairs.

location

The zebra grass prefers a sunny location, but can also do well in partial shade. If you plant it in a sunny spot, you have a better chance of a magnificent development of the pretty horizontal stripes. Also, the zebra grass should not be too cold and draughty. A southern location that is protected from strong winds is ideal.

To remember:

  • preferably sunny position, then also good development of the stripes
  • protected from harsh weather conditions

Earth

You can plant the zebra grass permanently outdoors because of its frost resistance. But it can also be cultivated in a bucket. In both cases it is important to offer it a relatively nutrient-rich, fresh and well-drained substrate. A soil with a certain amount of clay and sand is ideal, to which you add a good portion of humus when planting. Loosening up the grass with pebbles is also good for its permeability.

Good drainage is also essential for pot culture.

What the soil substrate should be like:

  • relatively nutritious, fresh and permeable
  • Work in a drainage layer both outdoors and in the bucket!

planting time

Mid-spring from April is the best time to plant zebra grass.

planting distance

The planting distance to any neighboring plants and also between the individual young specimens is important. Because of its strongly growing rhizomes and the pronounced clump formation, the zebra grass spreads quite intensively. If you want to prevent it from getting out of hand in the long term, you should consider installing a root barrier. However, separating overly sprawling tussock foothills is also quite easy with a spade, at least as long as the grass is not too old and tough.

Location is also an important factor in planting spacing. If you want the zebra grass to loosen up the structure of the perennial bed, a radius of at least one meter around the grass is recommended. In this case, the root barrier is particularly recommended.

In many cases, however, zebra grass is also planted in a solitary position, for example in the front yard. It cuts a very good figure and can often take up more space. If you want to plant several specimens with a view to a small zebra grass forest, keep a planting distance of about 1.20 meters.

To remember:

  • Zebragrass tends to spread quite extensively - consider root barrier
  • prevent excessive expansion, especially in the bed, and keep a radius of about one meter
  • planting several specimens about 1.20 m apart

pour

The zebra grass copes quite well with moderate dry phases, but it is somewhat more sensitive to moisture. If the ground is permanently wet, root rot can occur, which kills the zebra grass fairly quickly. When planting outdoors, it is therefore important to incorporate effective drainage, especially if the soil at the site is rather compact. If it is dry and hot for a long time in summer, you should water the plant regularly.

When cultivating in a tub, more frequent watering is necessary, especially in summer. Water regularly so that the root ball does not dry out. Waterlogging is of course to be avoided in the bucket culture. So make sure you empty the cachepot after a rainy day.

Water requirements at a glance:

  • needs moderate amounts of water
  • water regularly during longer dry periods
  • Absolutely avoid waterlogging

Fertilize

Apart from a humus-rich plant substrate and some compost in the spring, you don't need to fertilize the zebra grass very much.

To cut

In general, it is advisable to cut back zebra grass once a year. This promotes fresh new shoots and a magnificent development in the growing season. To do this, you can cut off the stalks close to the ground, which gives the grass an effective boost of freshness.

However, you should only cut back in the spring. Firstly, the plant's foliage material provides good protection from overly harsh weather throughout the winter. You can increase this protective effect by tying the stalks together at the top, making the zebra grass more compact and more resistant to cold and wind. Secondly, the stalks can also offer a decorative sight in winter weather.

The ideal time to remove the old leaves is when the new ones are emerging as small, light colored shoots. Now they need light and should be freed from last year's stalks. Of course, make sure that you do not damage the young shoots when cutting.

It is best to use a large, sharp hedge trimmer for the pruning.(77.00€)

Pruning rules at a glance:

  • Complete pruning close to the ground once a year
  • Leave old leaves over the winter to protect the plant, possibly tie them together
  • Cut back as soon as the new leaf shoots appear

balcony

A zebra grass can also be kept in a bucket - this is good for those grass fans who don't have a garden available. Of course, you have to look after the zebra grass a little more carefully in the bucket due to the limited planting ground, but the care is also quite easy here.

The care of the planting ground consists above all in regular watering to avoid waterlogging, especially on hot, dry days. A lot of heat can accumulate on the balcony in particular and a lot more water can evaporate through the many nearby walls. You should provide the substrate with a good drainage layer to ensure good drainage. You can fertilize the zebra grass by giving it some compost in the spring.

The advantage of pot culture is that there is no risk of excessive spreading. To a certain extent, the pot automatically serves as a root barrier and prevents the grass from forming excessive clumps. However, the zebra grass has to be repotted from time to time if the pot is too narrow.

A location on the balcony is often quite suitable for a zebra grass in a bucket. Because here it is usually well protected from sharp winds. But because the zebra grass likes to be in the sun, the balcony should face south or south-west if possible. Overwintering is usually not a problem, the zebra grass is resistant to temperatures down to -20°C. If the frost is very severe, however, you should wrap the pot in sacking as a precaution.

hibernate

Outdoors, the frost-hardy zebra grass is almost immune to freezing, as it can tolerate double-digit minus temperatures. However, it is advisable to protect the heart of the plant a little by leaving the old leaves over the winter. You can also tie them together to make the plant more compact and wind resistant.

In tub culture, the root ball of zebra grass is somewhat more sensitive. If the frost is very severe, you should therefore wrap the pot with raffia or burlap. Proceed with the foliage in the same way as with cultivation outdoors. It is also not wrong to place the bucket under a roof to protect it against wind and weather.

multiply

division

Propagating clump-forming grasses is basically simple and is best done by dividing the root ball. Since the zebra grass forms a very dense network of rhizomes, you can simply use a sharp spade to break off some of it. From time to time, the division of expanding nest spurs in the field is necessary anyway - then you can take the opportunity to provide yourself or interested gardeners with an offshoot.

It is best to propagate in spring. When dividing, make sure the divider has some well-developed culms with healthy roots. Put it where you want it and water it well.

With advanced age and increasing crusting, the zebra grass can become bare in the middle, which of course is detrimental to the appearance. To get a nice, bushy, attractive plant again, dig up all the grass including the root ball and divide it. To replant, take a piece from the outer, younger area. Put this back in its original place.

seed cultivation

Of course, seed cultivation is also possible in principle, but not as easy as dividing it. In addition, if you use your own harvested seeds, specimens that are not true to the variety can arise without the characteristic stripes. However, you hardly get your own seeds anyway because of the rare flowering. However, there are some offers in specialist shops.

Put the seeds in bowls with potting soil and only cover them very lightly. The seeds need room temperature and constant humidity to germinate. It is advisable to keep them under foil until they germinate.

Diseases

Fortunately, zebra grass is very resistant to diseases. As long as you protect it from excessive dryness and waterlogging, it shouldn't cause you any problems. If the drought lasts too long and the sun is too strong, the leaves may dry up. But don't forget: browning in autumn is normal and nothing to worry about!

Pests hardly infest the zebra grass either. Miscanthus mealybugs may occur.

tip

You can use the ornamental value of zebra grass in many ways. The solitary position in the front garden is a very popular and recommended variant. But the beautiful reeds also look extremely good on the edges of the pond. Here, however, you must ensure that you plant it at a sufficient distance from the permanently wet pond bottom. The striped stalks of zebra grass are also very decorative as cuttings in bouquets.

sorts

Not only the right zebra grass is a very nice eye-catcher in the garden. Other Chinese reed varieties also have very attractive appearances and are no less easy to cultivate.

Miscanthus sinensis 'Strictus'

This variety is extremely similar to Miscanthus sinensis 'Zebrinus' and is usually also referred to simply as zebra grass. It has a somewhat more upright, taut growth and also somewhat more linear leaves than the real zebra grass, but shows the same, decorative striped coloring in fresh green and bamboo yellow. In height it reaches about 1.30 to 1.50 meters. Flowers appear as brownish panicles late in the season, if any, in September or October.

Miscanthus sinensis 'Far East'

This Chinese reed variety is also an interesting alternative to zebra grass. Although it lacks the stripes on the leaves, it also offers a distinctive color appeal thanks to its reddish autumn coloration. In addition, the variety forms particularly large, structurally filigree spike flowers in September or October, which first appear in a brownish-red tone and later turn into a beautiful silvery white. They also look particularly beautiful when their faded spikes are covered with hoarfrost in winter.

The deciduous leaves are very narrow, tapering and form a long, arching tuft. Overall, the 'Ferner Osten' variety grows as tall as zebra grass, up to about 1.60 metres.

Miscanthus sinensis 'Malepartus'

The 'Malepartus' variety is also a very beautiful and impressive Chinese reed. It is characterized by a growth of up to 2 meters with elegantly overhanging culms that have a fresh green color with a white center line. In terms of shape, the culms are relatively wide-spread, pointed and have entire edges. In autumn, the foliage turns reddish, similar to the 'Ferner Osten' variety, but here it is less brownish and more radiant.

The flowers of this variety are also extremely decorative: from August they appear as very large, flag-like swaying panicles in a reddish, later silvery-white color.

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Herbs