{"id":42158,"date":"2025-10-28T19:06:46","date_gmt":"2025-10-28T19:06:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/?p=42158"},"modified":"2025-10-28T19:06:51","modified_gmt":"2025-10-28T19:06:51","slug":"how-to-care-for-ornamental-grass","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-care-for-ornamental-grass\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Care for Ornamental Grass"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ornamental grass requires little to no maintenance beyond cutting it back and dividing it when it grows too large and unruly.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Spring is when your ornamental grass needs the most attention, so prepare to cut back foliage and divide overcrowded clumps once the soil thaws and temperatures rise.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In summer, monitor the grass for disease and drought stress (which are, fortunately, uncommon problems with ornamental grass). Once fall and winter come around, simply enjoy the sound, color, and movement ornamental grass brings to the landscape.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You don\u2019t need a very green thumb to take care of ornamental grasses, although if they are part of a large, more complicated garden, you might consider using a <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/gardener\">professional gardener<\/a>.<\/p>   <div class=\"wp-block-ub-table-of-contents-block ub_table-of-contents\" id=\"ub_table-of-contents-24e24c3c-f862-4ad3-83e8-ff225bcbdbff\" data-linktodivider=\"false\" data-showtext=\"show\" data-hidetext=\"hide\" data-scrolltype=\"auto\" data-enablesmoothscroll=\"false\" data-initiallyhideonmobile=\"false\" data-initiallyshow=\"true\"><div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-header-container\" style=\"\"> \t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-header\" style=\"text-align: left; \"> \t\t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-title\" style=\"\">In this article:<\/div> \t\t\t\t \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-extra-container\" style=\"\"> \t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-container ub_table-of-contents-1-column\"> \t\t\t\t<ul style=\"\"><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-care-for-ornamental-grass\/#0-spring\" style=\"\">Spring<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-care-for-ornamental-grass\/#6-summer\" style=\"\">Summer<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-care-for-ornamental-grass\/#10-fall-and-winter\" style=\"\">Fall and Winter<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-care-for-ornamental-grass\/#13-common-maintenance-problems\" style=\"\">Common maintenance problems<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-care-for-ornamental-grass\/#14-faq-about-caring-for-ornamental-grass\" style=\"\">FAQ about caring for ornamental grass<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>   <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"0-spring\"><span id=\"spring\">Spring<\/span><\/h2>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1-cut-it-back\"><span id=\"cut-it-back\">Cut it back<\/span><\/h3>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/cut-grass-ornamental.jpg\" alt=\"A gardener uses small, handheld shears to cut back brown ornamental grass in order to divide it.\" class=\"wp-image-42163\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/cut-grass-ornamental.jpg 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/cut-grass-ornamental-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/cut-grass-ornamental-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/cut-grass-ornamental-610x406.jpg 610w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">It helps to cut back ornamental grass during spring. Photo Credit: maryviolet \/ Adobe Stock<\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Spring is the best time to cut back your ornamental grass. Cut back your cool-season and warm-season grasses <em>before<\/em> new growth begins and the threat of frost has passed.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For cool-season grasses, the cut-back window is <strong>late winter to early spring<\/strong>. If you\u2019re growing warm-season grasses, schedule the cut in <strong>mid to late spring<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Improper cutting technique can lead to messy spring cleanup, damage to the plant, and loss of habitat.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For more, check out these guides:<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-cut-back-ornamental-grasses\/\">How to Cut Back Ornamental Grasses<\/a><\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/when-to-cut-back-ornamental-grasses\/\">When to Cut Back Ornamental Grasses<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2-divide-overcrowded-clumps\"><span id=\"divide-overcrowded-clumps\">Divide overcrowded clumps<\/span><\/h3>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/divide-ornamental-grass.jpg\" alt=\"A landscaper plants small, divided ornamental grasses in loose brown dirt.\" class=\"wp-image-42166\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/divide-ornamental-grass.jpg 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/divide-ornamental-grass-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/divide-ornamental-grass-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/divide-ornamental-grass-610x406.jpg 610w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Small, divided ornamental grasses are planted in loose dirt. Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/images\/gardener-planting-bare-rooted-ornamental-grasses-in-spring-garden-putting-deschampsia-ceptitosa-into-holes-in-soil\/803172475?prev_url=detail\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">maryviolet<\/a> \/ Adobe Stock<\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You don\u2019t have to divide ornamental grass annually. They typically need to be divided every two to five years.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Aaron Steil, Consumer Horticulture Extension specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, recommends dividing ornamental grasses just as new growth emerges in spring.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Here\u2019s why: <\/strong>Ornamental grass develops a dead center as it ages, which is a sign the plant is ready for division. \u201cWaiting until the foliage begins to emerge allows you to see and remove this dead area when splitting the clump into pieces,\u201d Steil says.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He adds, \u201cMany ornamental grasses also do well with late-season division, in late summer or early fall.\u201d<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For a step-by-step breakdown of this spring chore, visit our guide on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnlove.com\/blog\/landscaping\/how-to-divide-ornamental-grasses\/\">How to Divide Ornamental Grasses<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"3-water-new-plantings-deeply-\"><span id=\"water-new-plantings-deeply\">Water new plantings deeply&nbsp;<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">New plantings require plenty of water, so whether you\u2019ve planted a new grass from your local nursery or divided an old clump, water the plant deeply and infrequently to promote deep roots.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">David Lowenstein, Consumer Horticulture Extension educator with Michigan State University Extension, recommends giving newly planted ornamental grasses <strong>1 inch of water per week<\/strong> in the first month to month and a half.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIn their second and future years, they should not require any supplemental watering. Most grasses and sedges have deep roots and tolerate drought conditions,\u201d he adds.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"4-apply-mulch\"><span id=\"apply-mulch\">Apply mulch<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As new growth begins in spring, you may notice a surge in weeds. Lowenstein recommends applying 2 to 3 inches of mulch to the garden bed to suppress weeds.&nbsp;<\/p>    <figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Pro Tip:<\/strong> Do not smother the plant with mulch. Apply the mulch 2 to 3 inches away from the plant\u2019s base.&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"5-fertilize-only-if-necessary\"><span id=\"fertilize-only-if-necessary\">Fertilize (only if necessary)<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s tempting to provide your plants with a nutritional boost. But fertilizing your ornamental grass, especially with the <em>wrong<\/em> fertilizer, might do more harm than good.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMost ornamental grasses need very little fertilizer,\u201d says Barbara Smith, Consumer horticulturist with the Clemson Extension Home and Garden Information Center.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Excess nitrogen in the soil can promote disease, weak stems, and overly vigorous growth, she says. If fertilizer becomes necessary, Smith recommends doing a soil test to determine what the plant needs.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If your soil test calls for fertilizer, visit our guide on <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/what-is-n-p-k\/\">understanding fertilizer ratios<\/a> to ensure a balanced application.<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"6-summer\"><span id=\"summer\">Summer<\/span><\/h2>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"7-monitor-for-disease\"><span id=\"monitor-for-disease\">Monitor for disease<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pests and diseases are rarely an issue with ornamental grasses. Rust and anthracnose are occasionally a problem, however, this is often due to poor maintenance practices or improper growing conditions.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To encourage recovery, dial back on the fertilizer and trim nearby vegetation to allow more air circulation and sunlight.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ornamental grasses growing in containers often suffer from root rot due to overwatering. If the soil is water logged and your plant is drooping, allow the soil to dry and adjust your watering schedule accordingly.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"8-don%E2%80%99t-trim\"><span id=\"dont-trim\">Don\u2019t trim<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your cool-season grass might be slowing down in summer, but this is not a sign of die back. Growth will pick up again in fall.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Summer is your warm-season grasses active growing season, so there\u2019s no need to trim.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"9-water-if-necessary\"><span id=\"water-if-necessary\">Water (if necessary)<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In general, most ornamental grasses don\u2019t require a lot of water, but every garden is different.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOnce established, moisture needs vary by grass species, soil type, temperature, and other factors,\u201d says Smith.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The best way to determine your summer watering schedule is to identify the plant variety, understand the conditions it&#8217;s growing in, and monitor for drooping, browning, and other signs of drought stress.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"10-fall-and-winter\"><span id=\"fall-and-winter\">Fall and Winter<\/span><\/h2>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"11-leave-foliage-intact-with-one-exception\"><span id=\"leave-foliage-intact-with-one-exception\">Leave foliage intact (with one exception)<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As temperatures begin to drop, your grasses will enter dormancy. Warm-season grasses will enter dormancy in fall, while cool-season grasses die back in winter.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before you grab your pruning shears, allow the foliage to remain intact throughout fall and winter. Delaying the trim until spring protects the base of the plant from winter injury by providing insulation, advises Matthew McKernan, horticulture agent at K-State Research and Extension in Sedgwick County.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Plus, tall grass brings sound, color, and beauty to a winter landscape, and provides shelter for pollinators, birds, and other wildlife.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, if you live in an area threatened by wildfires, cut your warm-season grass in <strong>fall<\/strong> as soon as it dies back.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"12-reduce-watering\"><span id=\"reduce-watering\">Reduce watering<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your ornamental grass likely won\u2019t need supplemental watering in the fall as temperatures cool and rainfall increases. Watering during this time can lead to waterlogged soils and rotting roots.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"13-common-maintenance-problems\"><span id=\"common-maintenance-problems\">Common maintenance problems<\/span><\/h2>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/pampas-grass.jpg\" alt=\"pampas grass\" class=\"wp-image-42170\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/pampas-grass.jpg 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/pampas-grass-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/pampas-grass-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/pampas-grass-510x382.jpg 510w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/pampas-grass-610x458.jpg 610w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Pampas grass is known as invasive, which causes overgrowth. Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/images\/decorative-garden-with-bush-of-blooming-pampas-grass\/177563038\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Kruwt<\/a> \/ Adobe Stock<\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If your grass is flopping, browning, or spreading aggressively, the cause is often too much fertilizer or irrigation. Remember, less is more when it comes to caring for your ornamental grass.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Overgrowth can also occur if the plant itself is invasive. Many grasses, such as pampas grass, are considered invasive in certain regions. To learn more about its invasive qualities, visit our article <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/why-is-pampas-grass-bad\/\">Why Is Pampas Grass Bad?<\/a><\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before planting, check that the species is native to your area. Sterile cultivars are also good alternatives to some invasive varieties, such Chinese silver grass and fountain grass. If you already have an invasive grass established, transplanting it into a container can help prevent it from spreading.<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"14-faq-about-caring-for-ornamental-grass\"><span id=\"faq-about-caring-for-ornamental-grass\">FAQ about caring for ornamental grass<\/span><\/h2>    <div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1761301482496\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Are there any ornamental grasses that don\u2019t need to be cut back?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Evergreen ornamental grasses, such as sedges or rushes, are vibrant all year round and don\u2019t require a cut back. Instead, selectively prune by gently combing your gloved hand through the foliage to remove any dead material.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1761301492134\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">What\u2019s the best way to clean up after cutting back ornamental grasses?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">To prevent the grass from flying everywhere, bundle the grass with string, rope, or a bungee cord before you cut. Have a wheelbarrow or tarp on standby to help you relocate the grass.\u00a0<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1761301500499\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">How can I tell if my ornamental grass is warm-season, cool-season, or evergreen?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">If your grass grows most actively in the summer, then you\u2019re likely growing warm-season grass. Cool-season grass thrives in spring and fall and slows down during summer.\u00a0<br\/><br\/>Sedges and rushes remain evergreen all year long and do not enter dormancy.\u00a0<br\/><br\/>Whether you grow warm-season, cool-season, or evergreen ornamental grass will determine how you time your maintenance practices, particularly division and trimming.\u00a0<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"15-hire-a-lawn-care-pro\"><span id=\"hire-a-lawn-care-pro\">Hire a lawn care pro<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While you\u2019re satisfying your green thumb and giving your garden beds TLC, don\u2019t let your lawn go overlooked. Hire a lawn care pro through Lawn Love to <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/lawn-mowing\">mow<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/lawn-fertilization\">fertilize<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/weed-control\">remove weeds<\/a> so that you can focus on your ornamental grasses.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Main Image: A person is watering a clump of ornamental grass with a watering can. Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/images\/watering-ornamental-garden-grass-with-a-watering-can-green-leaves-near-a-fence-plant-care-and-irrigation-during-summer-cultivation\/1661419871\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Adam<\/a> \/ Adobe Stock<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ornamental grass requires little maintenance beyond cutting back and dividing it in spring. This guide includes expert advice on how to care for ornamental grass year round so that you can ensure a healthy, charming landscape between seasons. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":32,"featured_media":42175,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[298],"tags":[222],"class_list":["post-42158","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-landscaping","tag-landscaping"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/ornamental-grass.jpeg","author_info":{"display_name":"Jane Purnell","author_link":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/author\/jane-purnell\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42158","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/32"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=42158"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42158\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":42336,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42158\/revisions\/42336"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/42175"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=42158"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=42158"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=42158"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}