Is this plant invasive?

Yes, it is highly invasive in many Mediterranean climates and is often banned from sale.

Wear heavy gloves and long sleeves to protect yourself from the sharp leaves, then cut the foliage back to about 30 cm in late winter.

Plant guide

Purple pampas grass.

Cortaderia jubata

Pronounced kor-tah-DEER-ee-ah joo-BAY-tah

Also known as Andean pampas grass, Jubata Grass, Purple Pampas, Purple pampas grass, pampas grass, pink pampas grass

This striking ornamental grass is known for its tall, feathery plumes that add a dramatic flair to any landscape. It is a vigorous grower that thrives in open, sunny spaces. Please keep in mind that it is considered invasive in many regions.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Perennial grass
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 6 to 10 feet
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 8 to 10
Bloom time: Late summer to autumn

Care

Plant this grass in a spot with plenty of room to spread out. Cut the foliage back once a year in late winter to encourage fresh spring growth. Watch for signs of overcrowding or excessive self seeding in your garden.

Watering: Water deeply once established, though it is quite drought tolerant.
Feeding: Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring to support the new season of growth.
Pruning: Cut the entire plant back to about 1 foot tall in late winter before new growth starts.
Repotting: This plant is best suited for the ground, but if kept in a container, divide it when it becomes root bound.
Soil: Well draining, fertile soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: -7 to 35°C
Humidity: 30 to 70%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 10 to 20 years.
Deer and rabbits: High

Safety

People: The sharp, serrated leaf edges can cause significant skin lacerations.
Pets: The sharp, serrated leaves can cause physical injury to pets if they brush against or try to eat them.
Children: Keep children away from the foliage, as the leaf blades are sharp enough to cut skin easily.
Contact allergens: The razor sharp leaf margins can cause painful cuts and skin irritation.
Airborne allergens: The large plumes produce significant amounts of windborne pollen that may trigger hay fever.
Edibility: This plant is not intended for human consumption.

How to identify it

Tall, arching, serrated leaf blades
Large, fluffy, pinkish purple flower plumes
Dense, clumping growth habit
Sharp leaf edges

Height: 2 to 4m
Spread: 1.5 to 3m
Leaves: green, evergreen
Flowers: pink, white, 30 to 90cm

Problems to watch for

Root rot · Occurs when the soil remains consistently waterlogged.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

Check your purple pampas grass from a photo

Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your plant and tells you what's wrong and what to try first.

Growing it

Propagation: seed, division
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: Cut back the foliage in late winter to remove dead growth and encourage fresh spring shoots. In colder parts of its range, tie the leaves together to protect the crown from freezing rain.
In containers: It is generally too large for containers unless you use a very heavy, oversized tub to prevent tipping.

Plant in areas where you have plenty of room, as this grass will quickly crowd out smaller neighbors.

Grows well with

California Poppy · They share similar drought tolerance and thrive in open, sunny spots.
Blue Fescue · The contrasting colors and textures create a nice visual balance.

Similar species

Common Pampas Grass · It is a related species that is also large and ornamental but slightly less invasive in some areas.

Science

Family: Poaceae
Genus: Cortaderia
Order: Poales
Class: Liliopsida
Native range: Andes mountains of South America.
Conservation: It is considered a noxious weed in many regions and should not be planted where it can escape into the wild.

It thrives in disturbed soils and open areas where it can quickly establish dominance through prolific seed production.

Value to wildlife: nesting material for birds, cover for small mammals
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: ornamental grass, privacy screen, erosion control

Through the year

JFMAMJJASOND

Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 4/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 8/9
Temperature: 7/9
Moisture: 4/9
Nutrients: 3/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is this plant invasive?: Yes, it is highly invasive in many Mediterranean climates and is often banned from sale.
How do I prune it?: Wear heavy gloves and long sleeves to protect yourself from the sharp leaves, then cut the foliage back to about 30 cm in late winter.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Cortaderia comes from the Argentine Spanish word cortadera, meaning cutter, referring to the sharp leaves. The species name jubata refers to the mane like appearance of the flower plumes.

Good to know

It is often confused with common pampas grass but has pinker, more feathery plumes.
A single plant can produce millions of seeds that travel long distances on the wind.
It is a facultative apomict, meaning it can produce seeds without fertilization.

Also in

Keep your purple pampas grass growing

This page is a general guide. Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked.

Get the app

This guide was generated with AI on October 19, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.