Also known as Silver Grass · 2.4k gardener saves
Miscanthus: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Miscanthus, the genus most gardeners know as silver grass. We track 28 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 12 most-saved Miscanthus varieties
Of 28 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedHuron Sunrise Maiden Grass
Miscanthus sinensis 'Huron Sunrise'
#2 most savedGraziella Chinese Silver Grass
Miscanthus sinensis 'Graziella'
#3 most savedYakushima Dwarf Maiden Grass
Miscanthus sinensis 'Yakushima Dwarf'
Dwarf Maiden Grass 'Adagio'
Miscanthus sinensis 'Adagio'
Japanese Silver Grass
Miscanthus sinensis 'Silver Arrow'
Maiden Grass
Miscanthus sinensis 'Gracillimus'
Variegated Japanese Silver Grass
Miscanthus sinensis 'Variegatus'
Cosmopolitan Chinese Silver Grass
Miscanthus sinensis 'Cosmopolitan'
Silver Feather Grass
Miscanthus sinensis 'Silberfeder'
Chinese Silver Grass
Miscanthus sinensis
Little Miss Maiden Grass
Miscanthus sinensis 'Little Miss'
Giant Chinese Silver Grass
Miscanthus sinensis 'Goliath'
Browse all 28 Miscanthus varieties →
How to grow Miscanthus
What the Miscanthus varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 28 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Miscanthus year
- DivideMarch and April100% of varieties
Divide large, congested clumps every 3-5 years to maintain vigor
- PruneJanuary and February68% of varieties
Cut back all old, dead foliage to 4-6 inches above ground before new growth starts
- PlantMarch, April and September50% of varieties
Plant containerized specimens in spring or early fall
- Spring CleanupJanuary and February32% of varieties
Cut back old foliage to 4-6 inches above ground before new growth appears
Do
- Water regularly during dry spells 🌱
- Water regularly during dry periods 🌱
- Water during dry spells 🌱
- Prune back in late winter to encourage fresh growth
- Prune dead or damaged foliage in late winter ✂️
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering in winter ❌
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Never plant in poorly drained soil
- Avoid overwatering, which can cause root rot ❌
What goes wrong with Miscanthus
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Spider mites | Webbing and speckled foliage | Use horticultural oil or insecticidal soap |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing, speckled leaves | Increase humidity and spray with insecticidal soap |
| Miscanthus Mealybug | White, cottony masses at the base of stems, stunted growth. | Difficult to control. Remove and destroy infested plants. Insecticidal soap or horticultural oil may have some effect if applied thoroughly. |
| Rust | Orange pustules on leaves | Remove affected foliage and improve air circulation |
| Gray leaf spot | Grayish patches on leaves | Remove affected foliage and improve air circulation |
| Root Rot | Wilting, yellowing leaves, mushy roots | Improve drainage, reduce watering, treat with fungicide |
Making more Miscanthus
Division
- Dig up mature clump in early spring or late fall
- Separate into smaller sections with roots intact
- Replant divisions immediately in prepared soil
Seed
- Collect seeds after flowering in late fall
- Tuck seeds into prepared soil in spring
- Keep soil moist until germination
- Thin seedlings to desired spacing
- Germination takes approximately 2-3 weeks
Miscanthus questions
How many types of Miscanthus are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 28 distinct Miscanthus varieties. The most popular — ranked by 2.4k real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Miscanthus grow in?
Across its varieties, Miscanthus covers USDA Zones 4–9. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Miscanthus bloom?
Most Miscanthus varieties bloom in late summer, early fall. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Miscanthus 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
More on Miscanthus
Miscanthus shows up in
Related genera
Design with Miscanthus 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.
