Also known as Silver Grass · 2.6k saves

Miscanthus

Miscanthus, the genus most gardeners know as silver grass. We track 28 varieties; the ones most used by real gardeners.

28 varieties1 speciesZones 4–9Mostly full sun

The 24 most-saved Miscanthus varieties

Huron Sunrise Maiden Grass#1 most saved

Huron Sunrise Maiden Grass

Miscanthus sinensis 'Huron Sunrise'

Graziella Chinese Silver Grass#2 most saved

Graziella Chinese Silver Grass

Miscanthus sinensis 'Graziella'

Yakushima Dwarf Maiden Grass#3 most saved

Yakushima Dwarf Maiden Grass

Miscanthus sinensis 'Yakushima Dwarf'

Dwarf Maiden Grass 'Adagio'

Dwarf Maiden Grass 'Adagio'

Miscanthus sinensis 'Adagio'

Silver Arrow Japanese Silver Grass

Silver Arrow Japanese Silver Grass

Miscanthus sinensis 'Silver Arrow'

Variegated Japanese Silver Grass

Variegated Japanese Silver Grass

Miscanthus sinensis 'Variegatus'

Maiden Grass

Maiden Grass

Miscanthus sinensis 'Gracillimus'

Silver Feather Grass

Silver Feather Grass

Miscanthus sinensis 'Silberfeder'

Chinese Silver Grass

Chinese Silver Grass

Miscanthus sinensis

Little Miss Maiden Grass

Little Miss Maiden Grass

Miscanthus sinensis 'Little Miss'

Cosmopolitan Chinese Silver Grass

Cosmopolitan Chinese Silver Grass

Miscanthus sinensis 'Cosmopolitan'

Little Zebra Miscanthus

Little Zebra Miscanthus

Miscanthus sinensis 'Little Zebra'

Japanese Silver Grass 'Nippon'

Japanese Silver Grass 'Nippon'

Miscanthus sinensis 'Nippon'

Morning Light Miscanthus Japanese Silver Grass

Morning Light Miscanthus Japanese Silver Grass

Miscanthus sinensis 'Morning Light'

Goliath Giant Chinese Silver Grass

Goliath Giant Chinese Silver Grass

Miscanthus sinensis 'Goliath'

Zebra Grass

Zebra Grass

Miscanthus sinensis 'Zebrinus'

Cabaret Miscanthus Cabaret Giant Maiden Grass

Cabaret Miscanthus Cabaret Giant Maiden Grass

Miscanthus x giganteus 'Cabaret'

Hinjo Japanese Silver Grass

Hinjo Japanese Silver Grass

Miscanthus sinensis 'Hinjo'

'Puenktchen' Maiden Grass

'Puenktchen' Maiden Grass

Miscanthus sinensis 'Puenktchen'

'Kaskade' Japanese Silver Grass

'Kaskade' Japanese Silver Grass

Miscanthus sinensis 'Kaskade'

Flamingo Maiden Grass

Flamingo Maiden Grass

Miscanthus sinensis 'Flamingo'

Bandwidth Maiden Grass

Bandwidth Maiden Grass

Miscanthus sinensis 'Bandwidth'

Little Kitten Chinese Silver Grass

Little Kitten Chinese Silver Grass

Miscanthus sinensis 'Little Kitten'

Kleine Silberspinne Maiden Grass

Kleine Silberspinne Maiden Grass

Miscanthus sinensis 'Kleine Silberspinne'

See all 28 Miscanthus varieties →Search this genus →

Species of Miscanthus

Each one is a parent of the varieties above.

Chinese Silver Grass

Chinese Silver Grass

Miscanthus sinensis

Track your Miscanthus in Sow

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How to grow Miscanthus

Whats common across all Miscanthus varieties in our catalog — drawn from the care records of the 28 most-grown of them.

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

ProblemWhat you'll seeWhat to do
AphidsSticky residue and distorted leavesUse insecticidal soap or neem oil
Spider mitesWebbing and speckled foliageUse horticultural oil or insecticidal soap
Spider MitesFine webbing, speckled leavesIncrease humidity and spray with insecticidal soap
Miscanthus MealybugWhite, 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.
RustOrange pustules on leavesRemove affected foliage and improve air circulation
Gray leaf spotGrayish patches on leavesRemove affected foliage and improve air circulation
Root RotWilting, yellowing leaves, mushy rootsImprove drainage, reduce watering, treat with fungicide

Making more Miscanthus

Division

  1. Dig up mature clump in early spring or late fall
  2. Separate into smaller sections with roots intact
  3. Replant divisions immediately in prepared soil

Seed

  1. Collect seeds after flowering in late fall
  2. Tuck seeds into prepared soil in spring
  3. Keep soil moist until germination
  4. Thin seedlings to desired spacing
  5. 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 2.6k real gardeners — 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.

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