How far apart should I plant Pampas grass?

About 2 m (6.6 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1.5–2.5 m (4.9–8.2 ft).

Does Pampas grass need full sun?

Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.

How much water does Pampas grass need?

Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance low.

How cold-hardy is Pampas grass?

It tolerates about -17 °C (1 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 7.

When does Pampas grass flower?

From about August for 9–17 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).

Is Pampas grass poisonous to cats and dogs?

For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not rated toxic by the ASPCA; the razor-sharp leaf edges can cut skin and mouths.

What grows well with Pampas grass?

There is no well-documented companion pairing for Pampas grass. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).

Pampas grass Cortaderia selloana

Pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana) is an evergreen perennial grass in the Poaceae family, native to Southern South America (Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Chile). It grows 2–3 m (6.6–10 ft) tall and 1.5–2.5 m (4.9–8.2 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -17 °C (1 °F). Space plants about 2 m (6.6 ft) apart.

Plan Pampas grass in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.

Pampas grass at a glance

Type	Perennial grass, evergreen
Family	Poaceae
Mature height	2–3 m (6.6–10 ft)
Mature spread	1.5–2.5 m (4.9–8.2 ft)
Spacing	2 m (6.6 ft) centre to centre
Sun	Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day
Water	Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance low
Soil pH	5.5–8
Cold hardiness	About -17 °C (1 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 7)
Heat stress	Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F)
Flowering	from about August for 9–17 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones)
Wind tolerance	High
Pollinator value	None
Edible	Not grown as food
Native to	Southern South America (Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Chile)
Common in gardens of	🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇿🇦 South Africa
Invasive in	Australia (declared or environmental weed in several states), South Africa (NEMBA 1b), New Zealand (pest plant), US (California, Hawaii, Oregon): check local rules before planting

Is Pampas grass toxic?

People: not known to be toxic
Cats: not known to be toxic
Dogs: not known to be toxic

Not rated toxic by the ASPCA; the razor-sharp leaf edges can cut skin and mouths.

If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.

Companion planting: what to grow with Pampas grass

No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.

See Pampas grass in a botanical garden

It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:

UC Botanical Garden, Berkeley (2 plants)

Questions about Pampas grass

How far apart should I plant Pampas grass?: About 2 m (6.6 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1.5–2.5 m (4.9–8.2 ft).
Does Pampas grass need full sun?: Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
How much water does Pampas grass need?: Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance low.
How cold-hardy is Pampas grass?: It tolerates about -17 °C (1 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 7.
When does Pampas grass flower?: From about August for 9–17 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
Is Pampas grass poisonous to cats and dogs?: For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not rated toxic by the ASPCA; the razor-sharp leaf edges can cut skin and mouths.
What grows well with Pampas grass?: There is no well-documented companion pairing for Pampas grass. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).

Sources and evidence

Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).

RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
CABI Invasive Species Compendium, CABI
PlantZAfrica, South African National Biodiversity Institute
USDA PLANTS Database, USDA NRCS

Notes and assumptions

Female plants set huge amounts of wind-borne seed; consider sterile or male cultivars, or choose another grass where it is regulated.
Dead foliage is highly flammable; avoid near buildings in fire-prone areas.

Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.

Related plants

Fountain grass Pennisetum alopecuroides
Sweet corn Zea mays var. saccharata
Lemongrass Cymbopogon citratus
Clumping bamboo Fargesia murielae
Maiden grass (miscanthus) Miscanthus sinensis
Golden bamboo Phyllostachys aurea
Switchgrass Panicum virgatum
Little bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium