Japanese Silver Grass
Miscanthus sinensis
Also listed as Miscanthus boninensis, Miscanthus condensatus
Also known as Zebra Grass, Maiden Grass, Eulalia
Climate Match for your location
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A tall, elegant ornamental grass with fine-textured foliage that turns golden-bronze in fall and produces feathery plumes in late summer. Extremely hardy, drought-tolerant, and low-maintenance once established.
Why grow it
Miscanthus sinensis offers reliable late-season ornamental interest and structural presence in temperate gardens, with greater cold hardiness than many tropical ornamental grasses. Compared to native prairie grasses, it establishes faster and tolerates a wider range of soil conditions, making it practical for gardeners in cooler zones seeking substantial foliage and plume display without heavy soil preparation or consistent moisture inputs once established.
Watch out for
This grass can take two to three seasons to reach full size and flowering potential, so expectations for first-year performance should remain modest. In regions with mild winters and consistent moisture, clumps may expand more vigorously than in drier or colder climates, requiring periodic division to maintain desired boundaries.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Poaceae
Native Range
China, Japan, Korea
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A tall, elegant ornamental grass with fine-textured foliage that turns golden-bronze in fall and produces feathery plumes in late summer. Extremely hardy, drought-tolerant, and low-maintenance once established.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Japanese Silver Grass grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Miscanthus sinensis offers reliable late-season ornamental interest and structural presence in temperate gardens, with greater cold hardiness than many tropical ornamental grasses. Compared to native prairie grasses, it establishes faster and tolerates a wider range of soil conditions, making it practical for gardeners in cooler zones seeking substantial foliage and plume display without heavy soil preparation or consistent moisture inputs once established.
Watch out for
This grass can take two to three seasons to reach full size and flowering potential, so expectations for first-year performance should remain modest. In regions with mild winters and consistent moisture, clumps may expand more vigorously than in drier or colder climates, requiring periodic division to maintain desired boundaries.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Poaceae
Native Range
China, Japan, Korea
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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