When should I cut it back?

Wait until late winter or very early spring before new growth emerges.

Does it need full sun?

Yes, it performs best with at least six hours of direct sunlight daily.

Plant guide

Chinese silver grass.

Miscanthus sinensis Andersson

Pronounced mis-KAN-thus si-NEN-sis

Also known as Chinese Silvergrass, Chinese fairy grass, Eulalia, Maiden Grass, Maiden Silvergrass, Miscanthus, Susuki Grass, Zebra Grass

Chinese silver grass — Photo by Jacy Chen (CC BY) via iNaturalist

This elegant ornamental grass adds beautiful texture and movement to your garden. It is a clump forming perennial that produces feathery plumes in late summer. It is a great choice for adding height and interest to borders.

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: 3 to 10 feet
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 5 to 9
Bloom time: Late summer to mid autumn

Care

Plant this grass in a spot that gets plenty of sun to keep it sturdy. Watch for the foliage to fade in late winter, which is your signal to cut it back. Ensure the soil drains well so the roots stay healthy.

Watering: Water deeply during dry spells to keep the plant looking its best.
Feeding: Apply a balanced fertilizer once in early spring as new growth begins.
Pruning: Cut the foliage down to a few inches above the ground in late winter.
Repotting: Divide the clumps every few years to keep the plant vigorous.
Soil: Well draining, fertile soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: -25 to 35°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 10 to 20 years.
Deer and rabbits: High

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes
Water running straight through the soil
Growth slowing significantly

Safety

People: This plant is not considered toxic to humans.
Children: The sharp, serrated leaf edges can cause paper-like cuts on children's skin.
Contact allergens: The leaf edges can be sharp and may cause minor skin abrasions.
Airborne allergens: The plumes release significant amounts of pollen in late summer.
Edibility: This plant is not intended for human consumption.

How to identify it

Arching blade like leaves
Silvery feathery flower plumes
Clump forming growth habit
Leaves turn golden in autumn

Height: 1.2 to 3m
Spread: 0.6 to 1.5m
Leaves: green, silver, variegated, deciduous
Flowers: silver, pink, white, copper, 15 to 30cm

Problems to watch for

RustCommon
Brown Leaf EdgesUncommon
DehydrationUncommon
Leaf SpotUncommon

By symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: division, seed
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: Leave the foliage standing through winter to protect the crown and provide garden interest. Cut the entire plant down to about 15 centimeters in late winter.
In containers: It grows well in large containers, but ensure the pot is at least 50 centimeters wide to accommodate the root system.

Division

Dig up the entire clump in early spring.
Use a sharp spade to cut the root ball into smaller sections.
Ensure each section has healthy roots and new shoots.
Replant immediately in prepared soil.

Pair this grass with late blooming perennials to maintain visual interest throughout the autumn months.

Grows well with

Coneflower — The bold flower heads contrast beautifully with the fine texture of the grass.
Sedum — These provide late season color that complements the emerging grass plumes.
Russian Sage — The airy blue flowers look stunning against the tall, arching blades of the grass.

Similar species

Switchgrass — A native alternative that offers similar height and winter structure.
Feather Reed Grass — Provides a more upright, vertical form for tighter garden spaces.

Science

Family: Poaceae
Genus: Miscanthus
Order: Poales
Class: Liliopsida
Native range: Eastern Asia, including China, Japan, and Korea.
Conservation: It is considered invasive in several regions of North America, so check local regulations before planting.

It thrives in open, sunny habitats where it can quickly establish large, dense clumps that outcompete smaller vegetation.

Value to wildlife: nesting material, winter shelter
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: ornamental grass, privacy screen, dried arrangements, winter interest

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Moisture: 5/9
Soil reaction: 5/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 6/9
Nutrients: 4/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

When should I cut it back?: Wait until late winter or very early spring before new growth emerges.
Does it need full sun?: Yes, it performs best with at least six hours of direct sunlight daily.

Where the name comes from

The name Miscanthus is derived from the Greek words mischos, meaning stalk, and anthos, meaning flower. Sinensis indicates its origin in China.

Good to know

It is commonly known as Maiden Grass.
The genus name comes from the Greek words for stem and flower.
It is a popular choice for modern landscape designs.

Also in

Deer-resistant plants

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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.