Pampas grass is a total superstar in the garden, often used as a fast-growing privacy screen or a stunning focal point right in the middle of a lush lawn. Once those iconic feathery plumes start blooming, it’s only natural to want more of them! If you’re looking to expand your collection, you can propagate pampas grass either by dividing the plant or by starting it from seed.
The Easier Way to Go
If you’re looking for the path of least resistance, division is definitely the way to go. Technically, you can divide pampas grass almost any time of year, but I highly recommend waiting until spring. There are two big reasons for this: first, the plant gets a full growing season to establish itself before winter hits. Second, it’s much safer for you! In early spring, those razor-sharp blades haven’t fully grown out yet, saving you from a lot of potential scratches.
How to Do It
Even in the spring, don’t forget to gear up! Wear long sleeves and sturdy gardening gloves to protect yourself from those sharp edges. Once you’re ready, here’s the game plan:
- Dig a fresh hole at the new location first.
- Dig up the entire root ball and split it using a sharp spade.
- If you’re dealing with a massive clump, you can simply chop off sections piece by piece with your shovel.
Just make sure each new section is at least the size of a large fist to ensure it has enough energy to regrow.
A Pro Tip on Seeds
If you’re feeling adventurous and want to try growing pampas grass from scratch, I strongly suggest buying your seeds rather than harvesting them from your own plants. Why? Because if you harvest them yourself, you might end up with “male” plants. These are a bit of a letdown because they produce way fewer plumes—or sometimes none at all—during the blooming season.
Also, skip sowing them directly in the garden. Between fluctuating temperatures and hungry birds, the success rate isn’t great. Instead, start them in pots indoors. Fill your pots with a good seed-starting mix and press the seeds lightly into the soil. Don’t bury them, though—pampas grass seeds need light to germinate! Keep the soil damp but not soggy, and cover the pot with some plastic wrap to create a mini-greenhouse. You should see little sprouts popping up within about two weeks.
