Porcupine Grass

Miscanthus sinensis 'Strictus'

Nature Hills Nursery

Variegated Striped Foliage with Silvery Fall Plumes for Year-Round Garden Drama
Cold Hardy: Thrives in Zones 4-10
Grows 6-8 ft Tall, 3-4 ft Wide
Showy White Blooms From Late Summer to Early Fall
Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Salt Tolerant

$16⁹⁹

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Plant Size

Quart Container #3 Container

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

This grass needs ample sunshine to maintain its unique, rigid, yellow-striped foliage and strong upright structure.

Sunlight: Give your Porcupine Grass a minimum of six hours of direct sun daily. While it can handle partial shade, expect the striking yellow variegation to be less intense, and the plant may slightly lean or flop if light is insufficient.
Soil: Plant it in average, well-draining soil. It is remarkably adaptable, but it truly thrives in loamy soil that remains evenly moist. For heavy clay, mix in compost and grit to improve drainage; for sandy soil, work in peat or compost to help hold moisture.

Watering Requirements

When newly planted, water your grass deeply once or twice per week, ensuring the top few inches of soil stay consistently moist to establish a deep root system. Once mature—after its first full growing season—Porcupine Grass is quite drought-tolerant and requires far less attention, but periods of inconsistent or severe under-watering will reduce its height and cause its handsome leaves and feathery plumes to stress and brown prematurely.

Pruning Tips

Porcupine Grass is a warm-season grass that blooms on new wood (new growth from the crown). The "why" here is to tidy up and clear the way for fresh growth. Wait until late winter or very early spring, just before the new green shoots begin to emerge, then use sharp shears to cut the entire clump back to about 6 to 8 inches above the ground. Leaving the dried plumes and foliage up throughout winter provides great texture and visual interest until the spring cleanup.

Fertilizer Needs

If your soil is poor, apply a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer in early spring as new growth appears. For average soil, this grass is not a heavy feeder and rarely needs much; over-fertilizing can lead to weak, floppy growth that lacks the desirable stiff, upright habit. What to avoid: Do not use high-nitrogen liquid feeds late in the season, as this can encourage soft growth that is highly susceptible to winter damage.

Delivery and Shipping

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics	Cold hardy, Low Maintenance, Deer-resistant, Slopes/Erosion Control, Heat Tolerant, Drought resistant, Hedge/Screen, Container Friendly, Flowering, Fast-growing, Attracts pollinators, Fragrant
Hardiness Zone	5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Sunlight	Full sun, Partial shade
Height	6-8 ft
Width	3-4 ft
Watering Needs	Moderate
Preferred Soil	Clay, Loamy, Sandy
Growth Rate	Fast
Growth Habit	Bushy, Compact, Trailing, Upright
Plant Life Cycle	Perennial
Blooms In	Summer, Fall
Flower Color	White
Suitable Space	Outdoors
Plant Name	Grass
Botanical Name	Miscanthus sinensis 'Strictus'
Species	sinensis
Cultivar	Strictus
Class	Poales
Does Not Ship To	AK, DE, FL, HI, ID, MN, MT, NY, PR

The Porcupine Grass (Miscanthus sinensis 'Strictus') has green leaves with cream-colored horizontal bands. These leaves make this ornamental grass stand out anywhere! Silvery white plumes that rise high above the foliage in fall are incredible fall and winter interest and can be cut for floral bouquets and dried décor.

This grass has a rigid, upright habit and stiff, pointed leaf blades, some of which stick out at angles like porcupine quills. Along the length of each blade, the bright green foliage has bright horizontal bands of golden yellow at even intervals along every leaf.

The Porcupine tolerates a wide range of soil types and is moderately drought-tolerant. It will hold up to wind and snow. Tall with a tidy columnar form, these are narrow-growing ornamental grasses that save space while adding fast-growing impact to your garden beds.

Planting and Application:

Use this plant as a specimen, for mass plantings, either way, the effect is amazing! The unusual variegation really shows off as a vertical accent among garden beds and borders and adds dramatic effects when en masse. Imagine the effect that it will have waving in the breeze on your landscape!

Great for coastal areas or plant them next to Rain Gardens, ponds or pools, water features and other medium to higher moisture environments. Growing 6-8 feet in height and only 3-4 feet in width, Porcupine Grass is great privacy and screening throughout the growing season. Use these are great texture and motion grasses to use around meditation and destination spots or in rows around seating areas.

Tall, Tough & Showy!
Warm-Season Grass Variety
White Flower Plumes in Autumn
Green & Cream Banded Leaves
Upright & Rigid Foliage & Columnar Form
Coastal Areas, Mass Plantings, Borders, Cutting Gardens & Specimen

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Ornamental grasses are easy-care and no-nonsense plants! Plant in full sun or part shade for the strongest stems. Choose a well-drained site with moderate moisture. In early spring remove the dead foliage before the plants begin new growth. Clumps may be divided every 3 years or so in early spring. It is deer resistant and has very few pests and disease issues. Warm-season grasses may green up later in the spring, but really shine once the hot, dry summer weather kicks in!

Full Sun & Partial Shade for Strongest Stems
Moderate Moisture & Well-Drained Soil
Fast-Growing Plants
Prune Early Spring Before New Growth Emerges
Deer & Pest Resistant

Hardy USDA growing zones 4-10, these are Ornamental and adaptable perennial grasses that deer and pests leave very much alone! For unique stripes and spikey texture without all the fuss, choose the colorful Porcupine Grass today from NatureHills.com!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Porcupine Grass drought tolerant once established?

Porcupine Grass is moderately drought-tolerant once established and handles a wide range of soil types. While it prefers moderate moisture, this tough ornamental grass will adapt to drier conditions. Plant in well-drained soil for best drought performance.

Is Porcupine Grass deer resistant?

Porcupine Grass is generally deer resistant due to its tough, rigid leaf blades that deer find unpalatable. The stiff foliage texture naturally deters browsing. For best results, plant in full sun where stems stay strongest. Shop at Nature Hills for this low-maintenance ornamental grass.

Does Porcupine Grass require regular fertilizing?

Porcupine Grass is low-maintenance and doesn't require regular fertilizing. This tough ornamental grass thrives in various soil types with minimal feeding. Apply a balanced fertilizer once in early spring if desired, but it's not necessary for healthy growth.

Porcupine Grass

Miscanthus sinensis 'Strictus'