Awaken a Far Eastern atmosphere in your garden with the Asian zebra grass. Although the sweet grass comes from China, thanks to its undemanding nature it can also be grown in Europe both in beds and in pots. With conscientious care and the right location conditions, the plant will soon unfold its long green culms with the conspicuous white stripes and exude a lot of charm. This article tells you what to look out for when cultivating.
Zebra grass needs a lot of sun
General
location
Zebra grass only develops its typical striped pattern when there is sufficient sunlight. Although the sweet grass also thrives in shady locations, you then have to do without the great look.
floor
Plant your zebra grass in soil that is as moist as possible and that does not become waterlogged. In addition, the substrate should be very nutritious. A pH between 4.6 and 7.5 is considered ideal.
use
Zebra grass is extremely versatile. It serves for example
- as a container plant on the terrace
- in the bed
- as a hedge plant
- as a privacy screen
- as greening of the banks of garden ponds
care instructions
To cut
In the fall, the zebra grass sheds its dry leaves. Many then make the mistake of cutting back the plant at this time. However, the long shoots serve as natural frost protection and should therefore only be shortened in spring just before they sprout. Then cut the grass just above the ground.
pour
Zebra grass requires a lot of water. Ideally, plant the plant in the immediate vicinity of a body of water so that the roots always have access to liquid. Potted plants in particular have to be watered several times a day on hot days so that the substrate is constantly moist. But be sure to avoid waterlogging.
Fertilize
Although a special fertilizer can promote growth, in most cases it is not necessary, since zebra grass is known for its strong growth.
Attention: Without a root barrier, it can even happen that your zebra grass unintentionally spreads over a large area. You can counteract this by dividing the root ball every three years.
hibernate
Zebra grass is a hardy, hardy plant. Temperatures down to -20°C are not a problem. Only potted plants should be placed in a sheltered place. It is also advisable to tie the stalks together as additional protection against frost.