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Choose your climateBased on winter hardiness only.

Grass · Poaceae family

Feather reed grass

Calamagrostis ×acutiflora

Full sun 3 ft 11¼ in–5 ft 10⅞ in × 1 ft 3¾ in–1 ft 11⅝ in to −79 °F

In short a 10-second read

SunFull sun
Size3 ft 11¼ in–5 ft 10⅞ in
spacing 23½ in
PlantingMarch–April, September–October
WinterNo winter protection

Where to plant and how much to water

Sun, soil and water.

It grows best in full sun, in average soil.

Sun

Sun6 hours or more
Part shade3–6 hours
Shadeunder 3 h

Soil

tolerates any pH
acidicneutralalkaline
averageloamyclayhumus-rich

Watering

keep the soil evenly moistless when it rains

Frost

−79 °F
no winter protectiondies back in winter, regrows in spring

How much space it takes

Mature size.

The mature plant next to a person (69 in).

19¾ in3 ft 3⅜ in4 ft 11 in3 ft 11¼ in–5 ft 10⅞ inspread 1 ft 3¾ in–1 ft 11⅝ in
3 ft 11¼ in–5 ft 10⅞ in× spread 1 ft 3¾ in–1 ft 11⅝ in

Plant 23½ in apart.

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

Through the year.

Typical for a temperate climate (four seasons). The line shows the current month.

The year at a glance

Planting: JanuaryPlanting: FebruaryPlanting: MarchPlanting: AprilPlanting: MayPlanting: JunePlanting: JulyPlanting: AugustPlanting: SeptemberPlanting: OctoberPlanting: NovemberPlanting: DecemberJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Planting
Now, in October: a good time for planting (container plant).
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Planting

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

container plant: March–April, September–October

What to plant now (October) full list in October (243) →

Feeding

Nutrition.

No feeding

Pests and diseases

Common problems and what to do.

The most common problems in Central Europe. Protection is listed from the gentlest option.

What you will see

Orange, brown or yellow pustules on leaves; leaves turn yellow and drop.

When to look

Mainly from midsummer to fall

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Airy planting spacing so the leaves dry quickly.
    • Do not water the leaves; water at the roots.
  2. By hand after the first pustulesRemove affected leaves at once and dispose of them safely.
  3. Chemical — only when nothing else helps only in a heavy attackA product authorized in your country against rust (only if it is approved for the given crop).
Rustsdisease · mainly from midsummer to fall

What you will see

Orange, brown or yellow pustules on leaves; leaves turn yellow and drop.

When to look

Mainly from midsummer to fall

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Airy planting spacing so the leaves dry quickly.
    • Do not water the leaves; water at the roots.
  2. By hand after the first pustulesRemove affected leaves at once and dispose of them safely.
  3. Chemical — only when nothing else helps only in a heavy attackA product authorized in your country against rust (only if it is approved for the given crop).
More about this problem

Voles

pest

What you will see

Damaged roots and crowns.

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Cut back surrounding cover.
  2. By hand winterRodent traps according to the regulations.
Volespest

What you will see

Damaged roots and crowns.

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Cut back surrounding cover.
  2. By hand winterRodent traps according to the regulations.
Sources (3)

Frequently asked

Quick answers.

Does feather reed grass tolerate shade?

No, it needs full sun.

How much space does feather reed grass need?

At maturity 1 ft 3¾ in–1 ft 11⅝ in wide and 3 ft 11¼ in–5 ft 10⅞ in tall; recommended spacing 23½ in.

Rusts — what can you do?

Airy planting spacing so the leaves dry quickly. Remove affected leaves at once and dispose of them safely.

Voles — what can you do?

Cut back surrounding cover. Rodent traps according to the regulations.

Sources (7) Checked 24 October 2026

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