Tall grasses can add striking height texture and movement to potted arrangements and container gardens. When selected wisely, ornamental grasses grow beautifully in pots, providing vertical interest and swaying elegantly in the breeze. Read on to learn about the best tall grass plants to grow in containers.
Overview of Tall Grasses for Containers
Tall grasses are ideal for growing in pots and planters Their slender leaves, plumes, and airy form contrast nicely with broader-leaved plants and flowers. Grasses growing 3 feet or taller make excellent focal points in containers.
Varieties like maiden grass, fountain grass, and bamboo muhly thrive in pots. They tolerate wind and intense sun while requiring less frequent watering than typical container plants. Their fine textures also complement potted flowers, succulents, shrubs, and small trees
When shopping for tall container grasses, look for compact cultivars under 5 feet tall. Mass plantings of grasses in large planters can make stunning displays. Mix heights, forms, and colors for visual interest.
With proper selection, tall grasses will thrive in containers for years, needing only occasional division. Read on to explore the best varieties and care tips.
Best Tall Grasses for Growing in Containers
Here are some excellent tall grass plants to grow in pots:
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Fountain Grass – Graceful, arching form with burgundy plumes. Grows 3-5 feet tall.
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Maiden Grass – Popular Miscanthus varieties with delicate flowers. Most 4-6 feet tall.
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Feather Reed Grass – Clump-forming grass with tall, wheat-like plumes. Grows to 5 feet.
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Pampas Grass – Impressive, large grass with tall white plumes. Can reach 6-10 feet.
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Switch Grass – Handsome native grass with airy, wildflower-like blooms. Grows 4-5 feet tall.
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Bamboo Muhly – Tropical-looking grass with bamboo-like foliage. Grows to 5 feet.
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Moor Grass – Clumping grass with metallic flowerheads. Compact at 3-4 feet tall.
With the right selections and care, these grasses will thrive in containers to add height, movement, and unique textures.
Growing Tall Grasses in Pots and Planters
Follow these tips to successfully grow ornamental grasses in containers:
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Soil: Use a potting mix formulated for containers, not garden soil. Add sand or grit for drainage.
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Pot: Select a container at least 12 inches wide and deep to provide ample root space.
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Water: Water deeply when the top few inches become dry. Most grasses are drought-tolerant once established.
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Sun: Place containers in full sun to part shade. Light shade is best in hot climates.
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Fertilizer: Apply a balanced fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during active growth.
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Overwintering: Remove dead leaves and stems in late winter before new growth emerges.
With proper selection, soil, and care, growing tall grasses in containers is quite easy. Just give them plenty of sun, occasional watering, and yearly division when roots fill the pot.
Design Tips for Tall Container Grasses
Here are some tips for incorporating tall grasses into stunning potted arrangements:
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Grow grasses singly in striking monoculture groupings for major focal points.
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Mix heights and textures, combining clumping and mounding grasses together.
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Underplant tall grasses with low growers like sweet flag or Japanese forest grass.
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Pair airy grasses with bold foliage like hostas, coleus, or small shrubs.
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Use grasses to hide or frame the pots of adjacent plants.
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Plant in geometric patterns for contemporary flair.
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Mass grasses in large containers for big visual impact.
With creative combinations, you can achieve beautiful displays where ornamental grasses play the starring role.
Caring for Container Grown Grasses
Caring for ornamental grasses in pots is fairly simple:
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Water whenever the top few inches of soil become dry. Most tolerate occasional drought once established.
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Remove any dead leaves and spent flower stems in late winter before new growth begins.
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Fertilize actively growing grasses every 4-6 weeks with a balanced fertilizer. Reduce feeding in winter.
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Prune back overly long foliage or remove dead stems as needed to maintain a tidy form.
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Transplant into larger containers or divide dense clumps every 2-4 years as the plants outgrow their space.
With proper selection, tall grasses are easy, low maintenance additions to container gardens and planter arrangements.
Common Questions About Tall Grasses in Containers
Here are some commonly asked questions:
How often do you have to water container grasses?
Water thoroughly whenever the top few inches of soil become dry. Established grasses only need watering every 7-10 days on average, sometimes less.
What is the best fertilizer for potted grasses?
Use a balanced fertilizer formulated for containers. Apply every 4-6 weeks during active growth in spring through fall. Reduce feeding in winter.
Can you grow ornamental grasses indoors?
Most ornamental grasses are not well-suited for growing indoors as houseplants. Some low-light varieties like Japanese forest grass may adapt but indoor conditions are usually too dim and dry to sustain most grasses.
How cold hardy are grasses in pots?
Container grown grasses are typically only hardy 2 zones lower than if planted in the ground. Provide winter protection or grow them as annuals in colder climates.
How often should container grasses be divided?
Dividing is only needed every 2-4 years. Signs it’s time include poor flowering, dieback in the center, and roots circling the inside of the pot. Transplant into a larger container or divide the roots.
Adding Vertical Interest with Tall Container Grasses
With their elegant forms, tall grasses are ideal plants for containers. They provide vertical punctuation and add graceful movement with their swaying foliage and flower plumes. With the right selection and care, ornamental grasses are easy to grow in pots for stunning displays. We hope these tips have inspired you to incorporate their unique textures into your container garden designs!