Ensure that you wear gloves and long-sleeved shirts when working on this plant. ► Zebra grass is sharp, and has razor-like foliage which can cause cuts and bruises. ► There may be a need to stake the plant if it doesn’t stop falling even after heavy pruning. ► The tall foliage may sometimes fall over, especially, when over-fertilized or kept in shade or snow constantly. ► The plant is seldom affected by insects and diseases but you need to keep an eye out for them. The seeds that are mature will easily get distributed by the wind leading to the propagation of the plant in the areas nearby. ► Remove the seed heads from the rest of the flower plumes in the fall season. You can leave the dry flowers until spring if you wish to see the rich texture that it adds to the landscape. ► Cut back the flower spikelets in either, spring or fall. Remove the old and dead center, and transplant the sections about 3 – 4 feet apart. For dividing, dig up the entire plant and cut it into sections with a sharp knife with roots and foliage included in each. For places with mild climates, dividing in autumn is the best while, in colder climates, dividing in spring is appropriate. ► Dividing your plant once every 3 – 4 years will be helpful in keeping it attractive and healthy. It is useful especially in climates with long growing seasons. ► Trim it the second time during mid-summer to rejuvenate the foliage and to keep the plant compact. To avoid the spreading of pathogens, disinfect your pruning tools. It doesn’t need pruning during the growing season, but should be trimmed to create room for fresh and new growth. ► Trim down the grass to about 5 inches before new growth in early spring. Fertilize when you notice symptoms of weak growth, any kind of deficiencies, or discoloration. ► Make sure, you fertilize the plant annually during spring with a fertilizer having the ratio of 10-10-10. Allow the soil to dry before watering the plant. Do not overwater or water frequently in winters as it can lead to the root getting damaged and bacterial attacks. Once established, the watering can be reduced. Although the plant is drought tolerant, it benefits from irrigation during the warm and dry months. ► Water your zebra grass 2 – 3 times a week during the first growing season. ► Make sure, you plant zebra grass in containers that have drainage holes. ![]() ► If growing in containers, it will require more water provided the temperature is above 85 degrees Fahrenheit. ► In cooler places, select a place on the western side of the house where the plant will be protected from chilly climate. ► Water the plant thoroughly after placing it. ► Dig a hole deep enough for the root ball to grow and expand well. ► Place the plants about 36 – 48 inches apart to avoid your garden becoming a jungle. ► Work a six-inch, generous amount of compost and other organic material before planting it. ► The best time for planting Zebra grass is spring or fall. ► The soil should be mildly acidic to mildly alkaline i.e., it should have a pH of 6.1 – 7.8. For optimal growth, the soil should be moist, but well drained. ► This plant is tolerant to different kinds of soil condition―normal, sandy, or clay. ► Select an area which receives plenty of sunlight and is partially shaded. ► Zebra grass is easy to grow and requires very little care which makes it a good choice for the first time gardeners. They appear in autumn and last through the winter. ► It bears large copper-colored flower spikelets over an arched clump of green leaves that are banded with yellow. It can be propagated by division however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.► It is drought tolerant and grows well when planted in moist but well-drained soil. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. ![]() It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen! As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 20 years. It tends to be leggy, with a typical clearance of 1 foot from the ground, and should be underplanted with lower-growing perennials. Zebra Grass will grow to be about 4 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 4 feet.
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