Bunch of dark red-brown ornamental grass with pale green stems lying on a light colored surface

How To Grow Ornamental Grass Seeds

Updated on Mar 15, 2024
By Baillie Blankenship

Perfect for adding a dramatic splash to your garden beds or landscaping, ornamental grasses are often a bountiful source of cut or dried flowers as well.

HISTORY

Ornamental grass was first popularized in the mid 1930s in Germany. A German nurseryman named Karl Foerster sparked the popularity of ornamental grasses. Foerster collected grass seeds from all over the world and eventually introduced many of them to the nursery trade.

USES

  • Used in landscape design and container gardening. Plumes can be used in floral arrangements and everlasting bouquets.
Bouquet of fluffy pale beige "bunny tail" grass against a bright blue backgroundBouquet of fluffy pale beige "bunny tail" grass against a bright blue background

  • Start seeds 6-8 weeks before the last spring frost.
  • Surface sow and lightly tap into the substrate.
  • Light assists germination.
  • Maintain adequate moisture.
  • Germinates in 10-21 days.
Large terra cotta pot full of light greenish brown drooping grass on wooden floor with faux marble backdropLarge terra cotta pot full of light greenish brown drooping grass on wooden floor with faux marble backdrop

  • Transplant into the garden after the last spring frost.
  • Plant in a location with full sun as a landscape filler, in mixed plantings, or in containers.
  • Space plants 12” apart.

PESTS/SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

  • Grasses typically don’t experience much pest pressure. Occasionally, mites will infest ornamental grass in very dry, dusty conditions.
Turquoise vase filled with a spray of dark red ornamental grass.Turquoise vase filled with a spray of dark red ornamental grass.

  • Cut off dried seed heads and place them in a paper bag. Loose seeds will fall to the bottom of the bag. Seeds still in the seed head will continue to dry until they are ready to fall out.
  • After 1-2 weeks shake the bag to dislodge the remaining seeds.
  • Separate seed from chaff.
  • Store in a cool, dry, dark place until you are ready to plant.
Bouquet of dark red ornamental grass with pale green stems lying on a white table surfaceBouquet of dark red ornamental grass with pale green stems lying on a white table surface