Grass · Poaceae family
Hakone grass
Hakonechloa macra
In short a 10-second read
Hakone grass (grass) grows to 0.3–0.45 m tall and 0.3–0.6 m wide when mature. It grows best in part shade to shade, in average to moist soil. Hardy to −29 °C.
× spread 0.3–0.6 m
Where to plant
Sun, soil, frost.
It grows best in part shade to shade, in average to moist soil. Hardy to −29 °C.
Sun
Tolerates several positions — choose to suit the rest of the garden.
Soil and water
average to moist · watering: moderate
Soil: humus-rich, loamy
Frost
It copes with a normal winter outdoors.
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
cut back to the ground (February–March)
Planting
container plant: March–May, September–October
Winter protection
mulch the crown
Overwintering
In winter it needs protection.
Before the first frosts: mulch the crown.
- Mulch the crown
- Hardy to −29 °C
- Dies back in winter and regrows in spring
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.
common lungwort
0.15–0.3 m
European wild ginger
0.08–0.15 m
largeleaf brunnera
0.3–0.45 mReady-made Studio combinations that include Hakone grass
Astilbes, masterwort and blue brunnera brighten part shade from April…
Frequently asked
Quick answers.
Does Hakone grass tolerate shade?
Yes, it tolerates full shade.
How much space does Hakone grass need?
At maturity 0.3–0.6 m wide and 0.3–0.45 m tall; recommended spacing 41 cm.
Does Hakone grass survive winter outdoors?
Yes, with protection: mulch the crown.
Where the data comes from
We compared the data in 22 expert sources. Last checked 28 September 2026.
Show sources (22)
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Hakonechloa macra
- GBIF Occurrence Search API — Hakonechloa macra
- GBIF Vernacular Names API — Hakonechloa macra
- Wikidata (CC0) — Hakonechloa macra
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder — Hakonechloa macra
- NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — hakonechloa macra
- EPPO Global Database — Hakonechloa macra
- Pollen.lu — Réseau luxembourgeois de surveillance pollinique
- Allergieinformationsdienst (Helmholtz Munich) — Heuschnupfen: Gräserpollen ako spúšťač alergickej rinitídy
- Bamberger Staudengarten (Strobler), katalóg
- Foerster-Stauden, katalóg
- RHS - Hakonechloa macra
- 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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