Northern Pampas Grass

Dear Kristine,

Thank you so much for reaching out with your question about your Northern Pampas Grass (Erianthus Ravennae)! We truly appreciate you taking the time to learn more about caring for this striking, aggressive grass. You’re right to wonder about managing its appearance through the seasons.

As you mentioned, the substantial winter interest of this grass is wonderful to enjoy during the colder months. However, to keep your plant healthy and promote vibrant growth in spring, it’s best to cut back the canes in late winter or early spring before new shoots emerge. Since the stalks can be quite tough, tools like heavy-duty pruning shears or even a chainsaw (especially for larger clumps) can make this task much easier and safer. Just be sure to wear gloves and eye protection for safety.

If you’re interested, we also suggest mulching around the base after trimming to conserve moisture and insulate any roots during variable spring weather. This can help encourage fresh growth as the season progresses.

Feel free to check out our plant care blog for seasonal tips and advice—they’re filled with great resources for nurturing your Northern Pampas Grass and other garden beauties year-round!

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

Hello Johnny,

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with your Northern Pampas Grass! It’s wonderful to hear that your hearty grasses are settling in well at your new Ohio home. Pampas grass is indeed quite resilient, and many gardeners wonder about the best way to handle the foliage in winter.

Cutting your pampas grass back to about 12 inches in late winter or early spring—as you observed at the business with a landscaping crew—is actually a great practice. This helps clear out the old, dead foliage and makes way for fresh, vibrant growth when the growing season kicks off. You can wait until early spring, just before new growth begins. Cutting too early in winter may leave your grasses more vulnerable to frost damage.

If you’d prefer to maintain the ornamental effect during winter months, you can choose to simply leave the plumes intact—they remain quite attractive—and prune afterward. Cleaning up the base in spring makes the garden look tidier and helps reduce pest issues.

Should you need step-by-step tips or tools tips for pruning your pampas grass, let us know! We’d be happy to help with tailored guidance.

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

Hi Lll,

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with the Northern Pampas Grass! It's wonderful to hear that your plant is doing so well and has reached such a lovely height. Pampas grass truly makes a stunning backdrop with its flowing plumes and graceful presence.

If you ever want to keep your pampas bushy and healthy, a tip is to prune it back mid-winter before new growth starts in spring. Also, they prefer full sun and well-drained soil, so your local nursery choice was spot on! Should you be interested in adding more complementary plants that thrive alongside pampas grass, we’d be happy to share ideas.

Wishing you continued joy with your garden’s beautiful growth!

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

Hello Hank,

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with your Northern Pampas Grass! We're thrilled to hear that this tough plant has found a thriving home in a challenging low, wet area of your garden. Pampas Grass is known for its resilience, and your success here really highlights that strength.

If you’d like to keep your grass looking its best, remember that it enjoys well-draining soil when possible and occasional pruning in late winter to early spring can help promote healthy new growth. Since it’s thriving where others have not, you might also consider complementing it with other moisture-tolerant plants for increased texture and interest in the area. We have some planting guides on our website if you’d like some inspiration.

Thanks again for letting us know about your chica’s robust spirit!

Bloom on,
The Nature Hills Plant Knowledge Team

Hi Hank,

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with the Northern Pampas Grass! It’s wonderful to hear how tough and resilient your plant is, especially thriving in a low, wet area where many others struggle. Northern Pampas Grass is definitely known for its adaptability and durability in varying conditions, so it sounds like you’ve chosen a fantastic spot for it to really shine.

If you continue to enjoy the growth of your pampas grass, consider occasional light pruning in late winter or early spring to encourage fresh, vibrant foliage. You might also want to monitor drainage just a bit since, while it tolerates moisture well, stgy powder adjusting for extremely soggy soils can help ensure long-term health.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions about its care or want tips for pairing it with companion plants that share its love for moist conditions.

Rooting for your garden’s success,
Your Nature Hills Plant Care Team