Pampas grass is hardy, at least when it is in a protected location in the garden. More than the cold, the winter humidity and strong winds cause problems for the ornamental grass. In harsh locations it therefore makes sense to provide winter protection. This is how you overwinter pampas grass in your garden and pots.
Is pampas grass hardy and how do you protect it in winter?
Pampas grass is partially hardy and tolerates cold, but it is sensitive to strong winds and moisture. Outdoors, the grass is best grown in a protected location. In winter the stalks should be tied together and the clump covered with leaves or brushwood. Additional winter protection is required for potted plants.
Pampas grass is conditionally hardy
Pampas grass is also called American pampas grass. It comes from regions that also have cold winters. Basically, pampas grass is winter hardy.
However, pampas grass is very sensitive to strong winds and especially wetness caused by snow and rain.
Effective winter protection is to protect the ornamental grass from drafts and too much moisture after planting.
How to prepare large pampas grass and small pampas grass for winter
- Do not cut pampas grass
- Tie the stalks together at the top
- Heap up the horst with leaves or brushwood
- water a little when it is very dry
Even if the pampas grass has dried up in autumn, you must not cut it. The stems are hollow inside so that snow and rainwater can run in.
Binding the stalks together with a loose thread is the most important measure against winter cold. By tying, the center of the nest is protected from moisture. It reacts sensitively when it becomes too moist and then begins to rot.
In spring you can loosen the band and cut the shoots back completely. But wait until you can see the first new shoots inside.
Overwinter pampas grass in a pot
Pampas grass is less hardy in a pot than outdoors. This is because the pot is unprotected and the soil in it freezes much faster. If you want to enjoy the ornamental grass for many years, winter protection is essential.
The bucket can spend the winter outside in a protected corner on the terrace. Place it on a wooden board, a Styrofoam block or other insulating material. Wrap the pot in bubble wrap.
The stalks are tied together like in the open field if the location of the pot is not covered. If it is under a roof, tying it up is not absolutely necessary.
Overwintering buckets with pampas grass in the house
You can also overwinter pampas grass indoors. However, the parking space must be bright and cool. A warm winter garden is not suitable for wintering.
Good wintering places are unheated winter gardens, cold greenhouses or bright basement rooms. If the space is cramped, you can cut the pampas grass back by about half.
After the winter break is the right time to repot and cut off all old shoots.
Tip
If your garden is in a very cold, harsh area, you can also dig up the pampas grass and store the rhizome indoors over the winter. But this is only worthwhile for particularly sensitive varieties such as some white and pink pampas grasses.
