Pampas grass reaches a height of up to 2.5 meters. However, there are varieties such as the small pampas grass “Pumila” that only grow half as big. These varieties are particularly suitable for planting in containers on the balcony or terrace. When planting, however, you must pay attention to the correct size of the planter.
Which pampas grass is suitable for the balcony or terrace?
Small pampas grass is suitable for balconies or terraces and can serve as a privacy screen. Popular varieties include Tiny Pampa, Evita, Mini Silver, Pumila and Compacta. When planting, make sure there is enough space, appropriate drainage and nutrient-rich soil.
Variety overview
Pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana) is a popular ornamental plant from the sweet grass family. It is found in more and more gardens and impresses with its tall growth of up to 2.5 meters. But it doesn't always have to be the largest plant: small varieties produce equally beautiful flower fronds without taking up much space. The colors white, pink and colored black are particularly beautiful.
Small but mighty – Pumila is an absolute eye-catcher despite her size.
Perfect varieties for the manageable front garden or for the pot can be found in specialist shops or conveniently on the Internet. When purchasing, pay attention to the specified growth height, whichshould not exceed 1.5 meters. You choose the flower and leaf color as well as the shape of the fronds according to your taste. To make your search easier, we have prepared an overview of the five most popular small varieties for you - including links to the respective online shops.
Varieties in comparison
| Name | Growth height | Flower color | Flowering time | Leaf Color |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tiny Pampa | 60 – 80 cm | cream white | July to September | green |
| Evita | 60 – 80 cm | whitegolden | August to October | teal |
| Mini Silver | 50 – 100 cm | white | September to November | greygreen |
| Pumila | 50 – 120 cm | white (silvery) | September to October | greygreen |
| Compacta | 50 – 120 cm | beige, yellowish white | September to October | strong green |
Tiny Pampa
‘Tiny Pampa’ lives up to its name. Next to Evita, she is thesmallest member of the pampas grass family. However, it is in a particularly hurry to flower and begins to form fine, creamy-white fronds as early as July. The dwarf pampas grass even likes it on the balcony when enough sunlight hits the fine green leaves. Enjoy the summer with the airy, light ornamental grass 'Tiny Pampa' - you can find a corresponding offer for 17.95 euros here at Baldur Garten.
Evita
From August onwards, the pampas grass 'Evita' blooms in a light yellow color. The little green one likes open spaces where she can really come into her own. And if it grows too wide after a few years, it can simply be divided with a spade. While one can be left standing, the other half makes an ideal gift or can be planted anywhere. Pampas grass 'Evita' with its beautiful spikes can be found here at Garten von Ehren for 9.95 euros.
Mini Silver
The pampas grass variety 'Mini Silver' is considered particularly easy to care for. The plant, which is up to 1 meter high, forgives one or two mistakes and delights with its wonderful flowers in late summer and autumn. Their fronds enchant until November. And if you have grown fond of the plumes, you can easily harvest and dry the flowers. As a decorative element, it beautifies your home. There is a suitable offer for 26.90 euros here at Palmenmann.
Pumila
The pampas grass variety 'Pumila', which grows up to 1.2 meters high, is one of the most sought-after grasses of all. Their large white panicles are in no way inferior to those of their larger siblings. It blooms quite late in the year from September. 'Pumila' looks best as a solitary plant when it is placed in a mobile pot or in a sunny corner of a stone bed. Here you can find the Horstmann tree nursery's offerings.
Compacta
Another popular variety is the pampas grass 'Compacta'. It grows very sprawling and dense without spreading too much. That's why hobby gardeners prefer to plant the ornamental grass with its strong green foliage in stone beds and stone structures. Hardly any other plant is able to create such a contrast of lightness and weight, sun and shade, as the 'Compacta'. You can find a compact roommate for your garden here at the Horstmann tree nursery for 20 or 10 euros.
Small pampas grass in the rock garden
Pampas grass feels very comfortable in a stony environment - provided that the roots can penetrate into nutrient-rich soil that is at least 40 cm deep. The ornamental grass from South America is lime-tolerant, which allows the use of travertine and dolomite. Rock gardens are often created on slopes and sloping terrain. Together with lots of sun, this is also the ideal location for pampas grass. The permeability or drainage should also be guaranteed by stones and pebbles.
Pampas grass alone or in combination provides a beautiful contrast in the stone bed.
So nothing stands in the way of planting small pampas grass in a stone bed. Varieties like 'Compacta' already provide nice contrasts as a solitary plant due to their growth, but can be enhanced by combining them with other perennials and flowers. The sedum likes to stand next to the pampas grass and provides a striking splash of color to the bed with its red flowers. Lavender is also suitable as an additional plant. It can also be planted between two pampas grasses to fill the gap with the purple-blue, fragrant flowers.
Small pampas grass on the balcony
The small pampas grass is often used as a privacy screen on the balcony. The dense growth and the beautiful fronds transform many an exit into a private oasis of silence. But pampas grass is subject to some strict laws in Balconia due to its requirements and growth.
Balcony box
The first law concerns the popular balcony box. This is suitable for flowers and herbs, but not for pampas grass. Even the smallest specimens simply don't have enough space in normal balcony boxes. If your balcony cannot support a large bucket with a capacity of 40 liters in addition to a table and two chairs, then the location is unfortunately unsuitable for pampas grass.
The second law concerns the sharp-edged leaves of the plant. To avoid accidents, children and pets should not have unsupervised access to pampas grass. With the pennisetum grass and the hare's tail grass, we provide you with two easy-care alternatives that feel comfortable in the balcony box and are rather cuddly and soft.
Left: Pennisetum grass, Right: Hare's tail grass
Pennisetum grass: In contrast to pampas grass, the Asian ornamental plant has narrow leaves and very fine flowers. On average, the Pennisetum grass grows between 30 and 60 cm. The delicate variety 'Little Bunny' is particularly suitable for the balcony. Make sure that excess water can drain out of the balcony box. Because the hardy plant doesn't like backwater at all.
Hare's tail grass: The ornamental plant, also known as velvet grass, grows between 30 and 50 cm high. It has lanceolate leaves that are reminiscent of small pampas grass in color. Their fluffy flowers look similar to a rabbit's tail. Care must be taken to ensure adequate drainage. The undemanding grass does not need fertilizer; But the cuddly plant is very happy about the sun.
Bucket
Small pampas grass in the pot produces flowers as beautiful as those in the bed. The pot should hold at least 40 liters and be equipped with generous drainage. A balcony box is not deep enough to permanently supply the plant with water. The roots do not have enough space to develop freely and remove moisture from the substrate too quickly. The result is stunted growth.
Use special soil for ornamental grass from specialist retailers or nutrient-rich soil from the garden. The substrate should be loose and water-permeable rather than firm and clayey. If necessary, you can loosen the soil with sand. The bottom layer should be lined with expanded clay or gravel. To ensure that no stones clog the holes in the bottom of the pot, we recommend a permeable fleece (€34.00 on Amazon) between the drainage layer and the bottom.
FAQ
Is pampas grass suitable for the balcony box?
Pampas grass is not suitable for the balcony box. Even the smallest varieties don't find enough space in the narrow balcony box. If you want to keep pampas grass on the balcony, you must choose a suitable pot with at least 40 liter capacity.
Which grasses are suitable for the balcony box?
Pennisetum grass and hare's tail grass are suitable for the balcony box. They grow to a height of around 30 to 60 cm and produce delicate flowers. Sufficient light and good drainage – the undemanding grasses don’t need anything more.
Which pampas grass is suitable for the balcony?
Pampas grass sometimes grows very tall. That's why you should only choose small varieties under 1.5 m that also feel comfortable in the pot. 'Tiny Pampa' and 'Evita' are suitable for the balcony, for example. Since pampas grass has very sharp edges, it should not be accessible to children.
What are small pampas grass varieties?
The small pampas grass varieties include plants that reach a height of less than 1.5 meters. Popular representatives of this size are Pumila, Evita, Tiny Pampa, Compacta and Evita.
Where can you buy small pampas grass?
Small pampas grass is in high demand and can be purchased from garden centers as seeds or as seedling. A larger and generally cheaper offer can be found in the many specialized online shops.
What colors does small pampas grass come in?
The flower color of small pampas grass ranges from white to yellowish-golden to creamy-white-silvery. The leaf color is often gray-green to blue-green, although the intensity varies depending on the variety.
