Pampas Grass

Cortaderia selloana

flower

Pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana) is a massive ornamental grass that builds a fountain of arching blades 6 to 12 ft tall, topped in late summer by tall, showy, silvery-white plumes that hold their beauty into midwinter. It is drought and salt tolerant and a striking specimen or screen, but it is not for small gardens: it grows huge, its leaf edges are razor sharp, its dry foliage is highly flammable, and it has escaped to become invasive in milder parts of the country, so sterile or non-seeding selections and careful siting are important.

✅ Plant alongside

Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests

• Yucca — A bold, drought-tolerant architectural plant that suits the same dry, sunny scale
• Sedum — A tough succulent that shares the hot, well-drained conditions
• Russian Sage — Airy and drought tolerant, a softening contrast to the massive grass

🛡️ Pest & disease prevention

Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide

• Few pests

  Pampas grass has very few insect problems and is highly deer resistant; the main issues are cultural

• Rust →

  Orange pustules on blades in damp weather; improve airflow and remove affected foliage

• Crown rot →

  From wet, poorly drained soil; plant in well-drained ground and avoid soggy sites

🌸 Blooms & cutting

The plumes are popular for large dried arrangements, so cut them just as they fully open, wearing gloves and long sleeves against the sharp blades; harvesting them also helps prevent unwanted self-seeding. Leave some for winter display, then cut the whole clump back hard in late winter, again well protected, before new growth begins.

🥗 Nutrition & benefits

Pampas grass is an ornamental, not edible. Its value is dramatic plumes and screening on a large scale with good drought and salt tolerance. Site and manage it responsibly: the leaves are dangerously sharp, the foliage is flammable, and it is a regulated or invasive plant in some states (see the warnings on this page), so prefer sterile selections. Have a different variety? Cultivars of the same species share the same basic care, so this guide still applies even if your exact form is not shown.