1 named cultivar

‘Luteo Picta’Variegated Reed Canary Grass

grassN. America Native

Reed Canary Grass

Phalaris arundinacea

The Story

Plant Bio

Phalaris arundinacea, reed canary grass, is a vigorous spreading perennial grass native to North America as well as Eurasia, growing across wet ground throughout the continent. It reaches two to five feet with flat, rough leaf blades up to four feet long, and carries narrow panicles in summer that shift from green through purplish to tan as seed ripens. It runs strongly by underground stems.

Its reputation is complicated: the species is genuinely native here, but introduced Eurasian forage cultivars have made it one of the most damaging wetland invaders in North America, forming dense monocultures that displace other marsh plants. It tolerates drought, wet soil, pollution and black walnut, which is precisely why it outcompetes so much once established.

Uses & Benefits:

The variegated ribbon-grass form has bright white-striped foliage, its only real garden merit.

Grows in almost any conditions, including polluted, wet and drought-prone ground.

Mixed: a larval host for the least skipper butterfly and a genuine native, but introduced strains displace other wetland plants and reduce habitat diversity.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Grass

Height

42 inches

Width

66 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Water

Moderate to high

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

North America and Eurasia (circumboreal)

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Planting

How to Grow

Do not plant it in or near wetlands, ditches or waterways.
If growing the variegated form, confine it to a sealed container.
Use a solid-bottomed pot, not a bed with a root barrier.
Cut flower heads before seed ripens to prevent spread.
Dispose of clippings and divisions in household waste, never compost.
Check annually for runners escaping the container.

Pro Tip

Treat the ornamental variegated form as containment gardening — a sealed pot, seed heads removed, and nothing composted.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Confine it to a sealed container if grown at all 🪣
Cut seed heads before they ripen ✂️
Bin all clippings and divisions rather than composting 🗑️
Check yearly for escaped runners 🔍

Don't

Plant it near wetlands, ponds, ditches or streams ❌
Rely on a root barrier in open ground; it escapes ❌
Compost any part of it ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Monitor
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Contained ornamental use only, in a sealed potNot recommended for open groundNot recommended near any waterway

Companion Plants

Switchgrass Little Bluestem Prairie Dropseed Indiangrass Tussock Sedge

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Reed Canary Grass questions

What zones can Reed Canary Grass grow in?

Reed Canary Grass is hardy in USDA Zones 4–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Reed Canary Grass deer resistant?

Not reliably. Deer may browse Reed Canary Grass, especially tender spring growth — plan on repellents or fencing where pressure is high.

When does Reed Canary Grass bloom?

Reed Canary Grass typically blooms in summer through late summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Reed Canary Grass need full sun?

Reed Canary Grass does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.