Also known as Pampas Grass · 112 gardener saves
Cortaderia: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Cortaderia, the genus most gardeners know as pampas grass. We track 6 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 6 most-saved Cortaderia varieties
Of 6 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedSilver Comet Pampas Grass
Cortaderia selloana 'Silver Comet'
#2 most savedDwarf Pampas Grass
Cortaderia selloana 'Pumila'
#3 most savedPampas Grass Silver Stripe
Cortaderia selloana 'Silver Stripe'
Amber Waves Pampas Grass
Cortaderia selloana 'Amber Waves'
Pink Pampas Grass
Cortaderia selloana 'Pink'
Toetoe
Cortaderia egmontiana 'Plume Delight'
How to grow Cortaderia
What the Cortaderia varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 6 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Cortaderia year
- DivideMarch100% of varieties
Divide large, congested clumps every 5-10 years in early spring
- PruneJanuary and February83% of varieties
Cut back old foliage and plumes hard (to 6-12 inches) before new growth begins.
- PlantMarch, April, September and October67% of varieties
Plant in spring or early fall in a sunny, well-drained location
- Winter PrepOctober and November50% of varieties
Tie foliage together to protect the crown and contain sharp leaves during winter
Do
- Water during dry spells 🌱
- Water deeply during dry periods 🌱
- Cut back dead foliage in late winter
- Fertilize with a balanced fertilizer in spring
- Water during prolonged dry periods 🌱
Avoid
- Overwater to prevent root rot ❌
- Avoid overwatering in winter ❌
- Avoid heavy, clay soils without amendments ❌
- Don’t cut back in late fall to protect winter interest
What goes wrong with Cortaderia
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing and speckled leaves | Use neem oil or insecticidal soap |
| Rust | Orange pustules on leaves | Apply organic fungicide and improve air circulation |
| Fungal Leaf Spot | Brown or black spots on leaves | Apply copper-based fungicide |
Making more Cortaderia
Division
- Dig up mature clump in early spring
- Separate into smaller sections with roots intact
- Plant divisions 3 feet apart in prepared soil
- Water thoroughly and mulch
Seeds
- Scatter seeds on moist soil in early spring
- Lightly press seeds into soil surface
- Keep soil moist for 6 weeks until germination
Cortaderia questions
How many types of Cortaderia are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 6 distinct Cortaderia varieties. The most popular — ranked by 112 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Cortaderia grow in?
Across its varieties, Cortaderia covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Cortaderia bloom?
Most Cortaderia varieties bloom in late summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Cortaderia should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Cortaderia shows up in
By hardiness zone
Design with Cortaderia in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
