Once a year, your fountain grass needs a good haircut. Cutting it back clears the way for fresh new growth and keeps the plant looking lush and healthy. Here’s the lowdown on when and how to prune your grass like a pro.
When is the best time to prune fountain grass?
The sweet spot for pruning is early spring, just before the new growth starts peeking through. Whatever you do, resist the urge to grab your shears in the fall! Those old, dried blades act as a natural winter coat, protecting the heart of the plant from freezing temperatures. Without that extra layer, your ornamental grass loses a lot of its winter hardiness.
Plus, if you cut it too early, moisture can settle into the hollow stems and cause rot, which can actually kill the plant over the winter. Leaving the grass standing is also a win for local wildlife, as many tiny critters use the stalks as a cozy winter hotel. Before you start clipping in the spring, take a quick peek to make sure you aren’t evicting any hibernating guests; if you find some, wait a little longer.
Note: If you just want to tidy up a few brown or dried-out blades during the summer, go for it! Spot-cleaning won’t hurt the plant at all.
What tools will you need?
To get the job done safely and easily, make sure you have:
- A sharp pair of garden shears or loppers
- Sturdy work gloves
Ornamental grasses have surprisingly sharp edges—they can give you a nasty “paper cut” before you even realize it—so don’t skip the gloves. Also, make sure to clean your tools before and after you work. Dirty blades are the fastest way to spread garden diseases from one plant to another.
How to prune your fountain grass
Sometimes you can remove old stalks with a firm tug, but if they’re holding on tight, it’s time to cut. Trim all the dried, dead stems back to about 4 inches (10 cm) above the ground. Be careful not to nick any of the new green shoots; if you cut the fresh tips, they’ll turn brown and look a bit ragged as they grow.
Once your fountain grass has its “buzz cut,” it’s the perfect time to give it a little snack. How much fertilizer you need depends on what you use, but here are a few great options:
- Well-aged compost
- An all-purpose fertilizer for green plants
- Liquid perennial fertilizer
Dividing your grass after pruning
Once you’ve finished pruning, it’s the ideal time to divide your fountain grass. This is a great way to propagate more plants for your yard for free! It also helps manage the size of the clump if it’s getting too crowded. If fountain grass spreads too far and starts competing with its neighbors, it might actually stop blooming. Dividing it keeps the plant energized and flowering beautifully.
