Pennisetum is not only a visual highlight in the bed, the ornamental grass also beautifies open spaces when planted in a bucket. Very easy to care for and robust, this plant is perfect for balcony and terrace greening and sets extremely attractive accents here.

Short-growing varieties should be selected for container cultivation

Which varieties are suitable?

Well suited are the dwarf varieties such as "Little Bunny" and "Little Honey", which are only about 30 centimeters high and can therefore even be placed in a balcony box.

Medium-sized varieties reach a height of up to 90 centimeters and about the same width. They therefore fit well on the balcony and terrace, where they provide a beach feeling with their special charisma.

How is the ornamental grass used correctly?

Do not choose a bucket that is too small, so that pennisetum can spread out and form the typical hemisphere. Pay attention to the following points when planting:

  • The lamp cleaner grass does not like waterlogging. Therefore fill a drainage layer of expanded clay (19.73€) in the planter.
  • This should have a sufficient number of drainage holes, which you cover with potsherds or large stones.
  • In addition, you can mix the soil with expanded clay balls, conventional green plant soil is well suited.
  • Before planting, water the root ball vigorously. This ensures that Pennisetum grows well and quickly.

Water and fertilize

Water whenever the top layer of soil feels dry (thumb test). It is fertilized every 14 days with a commercial agent for green plants. When dosing, stick to the amount indicated on the packaging.

Overwinter the tub grass properly

Before the first frost, you should bring the lamp cleaning grass into the house. You don't have to cut it back at this point, it's enough to loosely tie the stalks together.

The winter quarters should be frost-free but cool. The light requirement of the plant is not very high during the hibernation, so the room can be relatively dark. Water infrequently and only when the soil feels really dry.

Please don't make the mistake of putting the lamp cleaner grass back in its original place in the spring. Carefully acclimate the plant to the changed conditions by initially placing Pennisetum in a sheltered, sunny location.

spring pruning

After clearing, Pennisetum should be shortened about a hand’s breadth above the ground. it then sprout quickly and vigorously green.

tips

Pennisetum grass is not poisonous, but can be a danger to children and pets due to the very hard stalks. In addition, these are so sharp that they can lead to nasty cuts if touched carelessly.

Category:

Herbs