Zebra grass originally comes from China. While exotic plants, such as zebra grass, inspire with an extraordinary look, the plants are often used to different temperatures and therefore have to be overwintered in special places. Fortunately, the striped plant is an exception and can easily spend the winter in the bed. However, you should know a few things about the frost hardiness of zebra grass.
The stalks of zebra grass die off in winter
Up to what temperature is zebra grass hardy?
Zebra grass can withstand temperatures down to -20°C. Ground frost cannot harm the plant. On the contrary, it exudes a very special charm when small ice crystals lie on the stalks and glitter in the winter sun. However, if there is too little light, the grass loses its typical stripes. The following spring, when the sun shines more intensely again, new shoots with the beautiful pattern will form.
Maintain antifreeze
Many gardeners make the mistake of cutting back their zebra grass in the fall, when the plant sheds its foliage. However, this makes the grass more susceptible to cold and frost. The reason: the stalks serve as a protective shell that wraps around the heart of the plant and prevents the cold from penetrating. Therefore, only cut back your zebra grass in the spring, just before it sprout.
Zebra grass in a bucket
Zebra grass that is kept in a bucket reacts a little more sensitively to cold. Keep in mind that the plant needs sufficient water. The soil in the pot tends to freeze quickly at low temperatures. In this case, the plant dies. However, since the zebra grass is mobile in the bucket, it makes no effort to overwinter it in a suitable place:
- move your zebra grass in the tub to a place sheltered from the wind
- do not stop watering even in winter
- if necessary, protect the grass with a jute sack
- tie the individual straws together
- a roof is ideal
- wrap a layer of insulation around the bucket