Some plants are suitable as hedge-like privacy screens in the garden, but strong-growing varieties such as the giant bamboo are extremely unsuitable for cultivation on a balcony. The zebra grass, on the other hand, with a maximum height of around 180 cm, is definitely suitable as an attractive and natural privacy screen for the balcony.
How do I care for zebra grass on my balcony?
Zebra grass is suitable as a natural privacy screen on the balcony if it is cultivated in sufficiently large planters. It prefers partially shaded to sunny locations and requires regular watering. In winter it should be protected from frost and provided with limited watering.
Select sufficiently large planters
It is common knowledge that ornamental grasses generally have extensive root systems. Zebra grass is no exception in this regard and can only deliver truly satisfactory growth results if there is enough space in the pot. Ultimately, this type of plant quickly takes over larger areas outdoors if it is not planted with an appropriate root barrier. Normal balcony boxes may be large enough for geraniums and other typical balcony plants, but you should use zebra grass in much larger planters. This means that when using it as a privacy screen along the balcony parapet, it is essential to ensure that the planters, some of which are very heavy, including soil, are adequately protected from falling.
Don't skimp on irrigation water
In its natural distribution areas, zebra grass prefers a partially shaded to sunny location with constantly moist soil. Therefore, when caring for a container plant, zebra grass should be watered thoroughly every day, especially in summer. This applies all the more to balcony locations where the strong sunlight and the much stronger wind constantly cause the substrate in the plant pot to dry out. Nevertheless, zebra grass (like most plant species) has a very difficult time dealing with roots that are constantly in water. Therefore, despite the generally high water requirement, the planter for the zebra grass on the balcony also needs sufficiently large drilled drainage holes for excess irrigation water.
Winter zebra grass properly on the balcony
Since zebra grass is frost hardy down to around minus 20 degrees Celsius, specimens planted in the garden usually have no problems, even in harsher winters. Unfortunately, this statement cannot be easily transferred to potted plants on a balcony, as the root balls here are much more easily affected by sub-zero temperatures than in closed soil. You should therefore take the following protective measures in good time before the start of winter:
- never cut the zebra grass before winter, but tie it together
- Wrap the plant pot with bubble wrap (€87.00 on Amazon) or an old sleeping mat
- water on frost-free days
Water supply on frost-free days is very important, as hardy reed and bamboo species are often damaged in winter not by frost, but by dryness in the root area.
Tip
Because zebra grass grows in clumps, rings can form around bare spots over time. This is a natural process and may need to be compensated for by digging, cutting and rearranging the plants in the planting trough.
