It looks impressive with its white-green leaves. Both as a solitary plant and in groups, for example in the background of beds, it looks quite impressive. But does zebra grass spread as intensively as other types of ornamental grass and does a rhizome barrier make sense?
Is a root barrier useful for zebra grass?
A root barrier for zebra grass is recommended to prevent uncontrolled spread by runners. When planting, set a 50-70 cm deep barrier, e.g. with a large bucket without a bottom, large stones, fleece or foil.
Entire areas are overgrown
If the zebra grass is in a sunny location in a permeable, moderately nutrient-rich and evenly moist soil, it feels extremely comfortable. If there is no lack of care, it is willing to spread.
Then it sprouts runners and its rhizomes grow. Over the years it can take over entire areas. A single plant becomes an entire sea that can reach heights of up to 250 cm. Ideal as a privacy screen but not every gardener is happy about it
Use the root barrier when planting
In order to stop the strong urge to spread, a root barrier should be placed when planting:
- 1 plant per square meter
- 1 m distance between several specimens
- before planting and after excavating the soil: set a root barrier
- approximately 50 – 70 cm deep into the soil
- good as a root barrier: large bucket without bottom, large stones, fleece (€69.00 on Amazon), foil
What happens if you forget the root barrier?
Have you already planted the zebra grass but without a root barrier? Then you don't have to be surprised if it becomes unruly over time. It can even crowd out or overgrow other surrounding and weaker plants. Its newly formed roots are difficult to remove once they have grown. They are stuck underground.
What emergency solutions are there?
The alternative to a root barrier is to dig up and divide your zebra grass every 2 to 3 years. You also have the option of using the root barrier later. This should best be done in spring. Alternatively, the zebra grass can also be kept in a bucket.
Tip
Not all varieties of zebra grass spread strongly through runners. If you don't want to create a root barrier, choose a variety that has few runners.