Grass · Poaceae family
Common Pampas Grass
Cortaderia selloana
In short a 10-second read
Common Pampas Grass (grass) grows to 1.8–3.7 m tall and 1.2–2.1 m wide when mature. It grows best in full sun, in dry to average soil. Hardy to −12 °C.
× spread 1.2–2.1 m
Where to plant
Sun, soil, frost.
It grows best in full sun, in dry to average soil. Hardy to −12 °C.
Sun
Elsewhere it will grow less well.
Soil and water
dry to average · watering: moderate
Soil: sandy, loamy, clay
Frost
It does not take frost well — in winter it needs protection or a pot you can bring indoors.
How much space it takes
Mature size.
The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).
Next to a person
Reaches maturity in about 2–5 years. The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.
Calendar
What to do and when.
Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.
The year at a glance
Pruning
No pruning needed — just remove dead or damaged parts (February–March).
Planting
container plant: March–May, September–October
Winter protection
mulch the crown, protect from winter wet
Overwintering
In winter it needs protection.
Before the first frosts: mulch the crown, protect from winter wet.
- Mulch the crown
- Protect from winter wet
- Hardy to −12 °C
- Evergreen — green in winter too
What to combine it with
Same needs, different flowering.
They share the same sun and soil and flower in other months — so the bed flowers for longer.
Frequently asked
Quick answers.
Does Common Pampas Grass tolerate shade?
No, it needs full sun.
How much space does Common Pampas Grass need?
At maturity 1.2–2.1 m wide and 1.8–3.7 m tall; recommended spacing 200 cm.
Does Common Pampas Grass survive winter outdoors?
Yes, with protection: mulch the crown, protect from winter wet.
Where the data comes from
We compared the data in 21 expert sources. Last checked 28 September 2026.
Show sources (21)
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Cortaderia selloana
- GBIF Occurrence Search API — Cortaderia selloana
- GBIF Vernacular Names API — Cortaderia selloana
- Wikidata (CC0) — Cortaderia selloana
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder — Cortaderia selloana
- NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — cortaderia selloana
- Pladias — Databáza českej flóry a vegetácie
- EPPO Global Database — Cortaderia selloana
- Pollen.lu — Réseau luxembourgeois de surveillance pollinique
- Allergieinformationsdienst (Helmholtz Munich) — Heuschnupfen: Gräserpollen ako spúšťač alergickej rinitídy
- RHS - Cortaderia selloana
- RHS - How to grow ornamental grasses
- Iowa State Extension - How to Plant Perennials
- RHS - Ornamental grasses: cutting back
- Invasive plant lists — this species is not on them: EASIN, EU, Slovakia, Czechia, Germany, Poland, Denmark
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