While zebra grass delights in summer with its unusually colored foliage, it also exudes a certain charm in winter when the sun makes the hoarfrost or small ice crystals glitter on the stalks. Since the winters in this country are comparatively mild, there is no need for extensive winterization. However, there are a few factors you should consider so that you can continue to enjoy the white or yellow stripes next year.
How do I properly overwinter zebra grass?
To overwinter zebra grass successfully, you should tie the stalks together, place them protected from the wind and only cut them back in spring. For potted plants, we also recommend wrapping the pot with foil or fleece, a Styrofoam pad and a jute sack over the grass.
Features
- hardy down to -23°C
- can be cultivated as a pot or bed plant
- loses the stripe pattern in winter
- will sprout again in spring
- deciduous, evergreen in warm regions
Tip
Because zebra grass sometimes stays green even in winter, it is perfect as a hedge plant.
Protect from wind
Although zebra grass is frost resistant, cold winds can damage the blades. Although you don't have to bring the grass into the house, you should tie the blades together over the winter as a precaution.weave. For potted plants, we recommend moving to a protected place.
Don't cut back until spring
Cut your zebra grass back just above the ground in spring. After a short time it sprouts again. Pruning in autumn, on the other hand, makes less sense because
- Zebra grass stalks have a protective function against cold
- the grass serves as winter quarters for many insects and beetles
- otherwise moisture and frost will penetrate into the interior of the plant
- Zebra grass looks particularly beautiful when a thin film of ice crystals forms on the stalks
Measures when overwintering potted plants
- Start of preparation: mid-October before the first frost
- Wrap foil or fleece (€34.00 on Amazon) around the bucket
- place a styrofoam plate under the bucket
- Tie blades of grass together
- Put a jute sack over the grass
- place in a place protected from the wind (near a house wall)
