Pennisetum grass, which belongs to the sweet grass family, is also an attractive sight in a bucket. With its gently overhanging stems and inflorescences that look like small brushes, Pennisetum creates a holiday feeling on balconies.

Lamp cleaner grass also looks good on the balcony

The right location

The dense and bushy feathered bristle grass tolerates full sun, but also feels at home on a partially shaded balcony.

Pennisetum as a container plant

The lamp cleaner grass does not like waterlogging. When cultivating in pots, it is therefore important to ensure good drainage. Place a shard of pottery over the drain hole and fill in a drainage layer of expanded clay (€19.73). In addition, it is advisable to mix the soil with some hydroponic substrate as well.

Before you use the ornamental grass, you should immerse the root ball in water until no more bubbles appear. This helps the green plant grow.

Water and fertilize the lamp cleaner grass properly

Cultivated in a bucket on the balcony, Pennisetum must be watered regularly:

  • Casting takes place before the top layer of substrate has dried out.
  • Use soft, low-lime water, for example rainwater or well stale tap water.
  • It must not be too cold, but should have taken on the temperature of the surroundings.

Fertilize with liquid green plant fertilizer or special fertilizer for ornamental grasses cultivated in tubs.

The hibernation

Lamp cleaner grass cultivated in tubs is only partially hardy, so you should bring it into the house before the first frost. A cool, frost-free room that is moderately bright is well suited. An unheated basement room or a garage with a window would be ideal.

You only rarely need goats during the hibernation. However, make sure that the root ball does not dry out completely and water a little if necessary.

Cut back in spring

As with ornamental grasses cultivated in the garden, the lamp cleaning grass is cut back in spring. At this point you can prune it vigorously and cut off all stalks a hand's breadth above the ground. It then grows back lush green.

tips

The feather bristle grass is non-toxic and therefore harmless to pets and children. However, the edges of the hard leaves are very sharp and can cause nasty cuts. Cats that chew on the stems and swallow them are also at risk, as the grass can get stuck in the throat and windpipe and injure the mucous membranes.

Category:

Herbs