Variegated ornamental grass.

At a glance

Care level

Moderate

Plant type

Perennial aquatic grass

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Indoor light

bright-indirect

Water

Every 1 to 3 days

Mature size

Up to 1.5m tall and 2m wide

Growth rate

fast

Hardiness

USDA 4 to 9

Bloom time

Mid to late summer

Care

Ensure it's planted in consistently moist soil or shallow water, as it thrives in wet conditions. Monitor its spread; consider planting it in containers or barriers if you want to control its growth. Remove dead foliage in late winter or early spring.

Watering

Keep soil consistently moist to waterlogged; it loves wet feet!

Feeding

Fertilize lightly in spring if growth seems slow; over-fertilizing can reduce variegation.

Pruning

Cut back dead foliage in late winter or early spring to make way for new growth.

Repotting

Divide and repot every 1-2 years to manage spread and rejuvenate the plant, ideally in spring.

Soil

Prefers moist to wet soils, including loam or clay.

Soil pH

5.5 - 7.5

Temperature

-23 to 32°C

Humidity

60 to 90%

Safety

People

Glyceria maxima is generally not considered toxic to humans, but it is not typically cultivated for food.

Pets

This plant is generally considered non-toxic to pets, but it's always a good idea to prevent them from ingesting large amounts of any plant material.

Children

Small children might be tempted to chew on the long leaves or stems, which could pose a minor choking hazard if large pieces are ingested.

Contact allergens

No significant contact allergens are widely reported.

Airborne allergens

Pollen can be an allergen for sensitive individuals, potentially causing hay fever symptoms.

Edibility

While some parts are edible, proper identification and preparation are crucial; it is best to avoid consuming wild plants unless you are absolutely certain of their identity and safety.

How to identify it

• Variegated green and white leaves
• Tall, upright grass clumps
• Feathery flower/seed heads
• Grows in wet soil or shallow water
• Spreads via rhizomes

Height

0.9 to 1.5m

Spread

1.2 to 2m

Leaves

Green, White, Cream, evergreen

Flowers

Greenish, Purple

Common problems

• Invasive spread — Aggressively spreads via rhizomes and seeds, displacing native vegetation in many areas.
• Fungal diseases — Can be affected by various leaf spot fungi, especially in damp conditions, though usually not seriously.

Growing it

Propagation

Division, Rhizome cuttings

When to plant

Spring, Summer

In areas where it is native and not invasive, it can be a useful component of wetland ecosystems, but its aggressive nature means careful monitoring is often needed.

Grows well with

• Cattail — They often coexist in the same wet habitats, sharing similar moisture and nutrient requirements.
• Bulrushes — These plants are also common in wetland environments and can be found growing alongside Reed canary grass.
• Water-plantain — It often grows in shallow water and saturated soils, habitats that also suit Reed canary grass.

Keep away from

• Many native wetland plants — Reed canary grass can outcompete and displace many native species due to its aggressive growth habit.
• Habitat specialists — Its dense stands can reduce the structural diversity of habitats, negatively impacting species that rely on varied vegetation.

Similar species

• Tall Fescue — Both are tall grasses that can form dense stands, but fescue is typically found in drier habitats.
• Timothy Grass — Timothy is another common grass, but it generally prefers drier meadows and has a more upright, less sprawling growth habit.

Science

Family

Poaceae

Genus

Glyceria

Order

Poales

Class

Liliopsida

Native range

Eurasia and Northwest Africa

Conservation

In some regions, Reed canary grass is considered an invasive species, outcompeting native wetland plants.

It thrives in wet to moist soils, forming dense stands that can dominate wetland ecosystems and alter habitat structure.

Value to wildlife

nectar source, larval host plant

Pollinators

bees, butterflies, moths

Uses

erosion control, wetland restoration (native populations), wildlife habitat

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is Reed canary grass native?

While it has native populations in some areas, it is considered an invasive species in many parts of North America and Europe, where it was introduced.

How tall does it grow?

It can reach heights of up to 2 meters (about 6.5 feet).

What kind of soil does it prefer?

It prefers moist to wet soils and can tolerate a range of soil types.

Can it be used for anything?

In its native range, it provides valuable habitat, and it's sometimes used for erosion control in wet areas.

Where the name comes from

The genus name 'Glyceria' comes from the Greek word 'glykeros,' meaning sweet, referring to the taste of the seeds. 'Maxima' is Latin for 'greatest' or 'largest,' likely referring to its size.

Good to know

• It's a perennial grass that thrives in wet environments like marshes, ditches, and riverbanks.
• Its common name, Reed canary grass, comes from its tall, reed-like appearance and its potential to attract birds.
• The plant spreads rapidly via underground stems called rhizomes, helping it form dense, monocultural stands.