When should I cut it back?

Cut the foliage down to about 15 centimeters in late winter or very early spring before new growth begins.

Does it spread aggressively?

No, it is a clumping grass that stays in a tidy, upright form.

Plant guide

Feather reed grass.

Calamagrostis acutiflora

Pronounced kal-ah-mah-GROS-tis ak-yoo-tih-FLOR-ah

Korean feather-reed grass — Photo by Andrew Bazdyrev (CC BY) via iNaturalist

This is a fantastic, upright ornamental grass that adds great structure to any garden. It is a sterile hybrid that won't spread aggressively by seed. You will love how its golden plumes catch the light in late summer.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Perennial ornamental grass
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 5 to 10 days
Mature size: 5 to 6 feet tall
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 4 to 9
Bloom time: Early to mid summer

Care

Plant this grass in a spot that gets plenty of sun to keep it standing tall. Cut the foliage back to the ground in late winter before new growth starts. Watch for browning tips if the soil stays too dry during the peak of summer.

Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged during the first growing season.
Feeding: Apply a balanced, slow release fertilizer once in early spring as new growth emerges.
Pruning: Cut the entire plant back to about 6 inches above the ground in late winter.
Repotting: Divide the root clump every few years in spring to keep the plant vigorous.
Soil: Well draining, fertile soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: -30 to 35°C
Humidity: 30 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 10 to 15 years.
Deer and rabbits: High

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water sitting on the surface for too long.
The center of the clump begins to die out.

Safety

People: There are no known toxic properties to humans.
Pets: This plant is generally considered non toxic to cats and dogs.
Children: The sharp edges of the leaves can cause paper-like cuts on children's skin.
Contact allergens: The leaf blades have fine serrations that can cause minor skin irritation if handled without gloves.
Airborne allergens: The pollen can trigger seasonal allergies in sensitive individuals during the flowering period.
Edibility: This grass is not intended for human consumption.

How to identify it

Strictly upright, vertical growth habit
Narrow, dark green leaf blades
Tall, feathery, wheat colored flower spikes
Clump forming, non invasive root system

Height: 0.9 to 1.8m
Spread: 0.45 to 0.75m
Leaves: green, deciduous
Flowers: tan, pinkish-bronze, 10 to 20cm

Problems to watch for

RustCommon
Leaf ScorchUncommon
Leaf SpotUncommon
Root RotUncommon

By symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: division
When to plant: spring, early autumn
Overwintering: Leave the dried foliage standing throughout the winter to protect the crown and provide visual interest. Cut back to the ground in early spring.
In containers: It grows well in large containers, provided they are at least 40 centimeters wide to accommodate the root mass.

Division

1. Dig up the entire clump in early spring.
2. Use a sharp spade to slice the root ball into smaller sections.
3. Replant the divisions immediately at the same depth as the original.

Plant in groups of three or five to create a dramatic, rhythmic effect in the landscape.

Grows well with

Coneflower — The bold daisy flowers contrast beautifully with the fine texture of the grass.
Sedum — The succulent foliage of sedum complements the vertical lines of the grass.

Similar species

Feather Reed Grass — It offers a softer, more feathery plume appearance than the upright acutiflora.

Science

Family: Poaceae
Genus: Calamagrostis
Order: Poales
Class: Liliopsida
Native range: Garden origin, derived from European parent species.
Conservation: This species is a sterile hybrid and does not pose a threat to native ecosystems.

It thrives in open, sunny sites where its deep root system helps it tolerate varying moisture levels.

Value to wildlife: provides nesting material, winter cover for insects
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: ornamental focal point, privacy screen, erosion control, winter interest

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 5/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 5/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

When should I cut it back?: Cut the foliage down to about 15 centimeters in late winter or very early spring before new growth begins.
Does it spread aggressively?: No, it is a clumping grass that stays in a tidy, upright form.

Where the name comes from

The genus name comes from the Greek words for reed and grass, while the specific epithet refers to the sharp, pointed nature of the glumes.

Good to know

It is a sterile hybrid between Calamagrostis arundinacea and Calamagrostis epigejos.
The flower plumes turn a beautiful golden wheat color by late summer.
It remains standing through winter snows, providing structure in the garden.

Also in

Deer-resistant plants

Keep your feather reed grass growing

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This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.