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Genus Cortaderia (Pampas grass, Tussock grass)

Cortaderia selloana 'Pumila' Photo/Illustration: Lee Anne White

kor-tah-DARE-ee-ah Common Name: Pampas grass, Tussock grass

In the genus Cortaderia are a couple of dozen species of grasses from New Zealand, New Guinea, and South America. They are often found near water. Their rough-edged foliage forms dense clumps of narrow blades. Flowers rise from the clumps in silver, gold, or pale pink plumes. Grow these grasses as specimens, at waterside, as screening, or in a border, giving them plenty of space.
Noteworthy characteristics: Dense tufts of sharp-edged foliage and plumes of flowers. Good cut or dried flowers.
Care: Give plants plenty of room and full sun. Prefer fertile, well-drained soil. Cut back and groom plants before new growth begins each year, being careful of the sharp leaf edges.
Propagation: In spring, divide clumps or start seed indoors at 55° to 64°F.
Problems: Generally easy to grow, but leaf spots are common problems.

Species, varieties and cultivars for genus Cortaderia

Cortaderia selloana
(Pampas grass)

(3 user reviews)

Hardiness Zones:

This stunning grass has 1- to 3-foot-long, densely tufted plumes atop tall, upright stalks and arching mid-green leaves. Plumes come in white, cream, or beige-pink and appear in late summer.

Cortaderia selloana 'Gold Band'
('Gold Band' pampas grass) Be the first to rate this plant

Hardiness Zones:

This clumping, drought-tolerant grass is one of the best pampas grasses you could grow. It has the showy, late-summer plumes common to this group, but they grow straight up, not willy-nilly like many other varieties; they eventually stand 4 to 6 feet above the foliage. Even better news is that this cultivar does not set seed, so it is noninvasive. The foliage features distinct golden edges, which, for a grass, usually menas that it loves shade or moisture. But 'Gold Band' tolerates heat and drought, making it great for large containers, and it can handle coastal conditions, too.

Cortaderia selloana ‘Pumila”
(Pampas grass)

(1 user review)

Hardiness Zones:

This dwarf cultivar has mid-green leaves and densely tufted plumes atop tall, upright stalks and arching mid-green leaves. Masses of silvery yellow plumes appear in late summer.