feather reed grass
Calamagrostis ×acutiflora
3 ft 11¼ in–5 ft 10⅞ in × 1 ft 3¾ in–1 ft 11⅝ in
Low maintenancegrass
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Grass · Poaceae family
Northern sea oats
Chasmanthium latifolium
Full sun to part shade 1 ft 11⅝ in–4 ft 11 in × 11¾ in–2 ft 5⅞ in to −84 °F
In short a 10-second read
SunFull sun to part shade
Size1 ft 11⅝ in–4 ft 11 in
spacing 23½ in
spacing 23½ in
PlantingMarch–May, September–October
WinterNo winter protection
Where to plant and how much to water
Sun, soil and water.
It grows best in full sun to part shade, in average to moist soil.
Sun
Sun6 hours or more
Part shade3–6 hours
Shadeunder 3 h
Soil
acidic to neutral soil
acidicneutralalkaline
Watering
Frost
−84 °F
How much space it takes
Mature size.
The mature plant next to a person (69 in).
1 ft 11⅝ in–4 ft 11 in× spread 11¾ in–2 ft 5⅞ 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
Now, in October: a good time for planting (container plant).
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Planting
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
container plant: March–May, September–October
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.
No serious pests or diseases
The source lists no significant problems.
Sources (1)
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 northern sea oats tolerate shade?
It tolerates part shade (3–6 hours of sun), but not full shade.
How much space does northern sea oats need?
At maturity 11¾ in–2 ft 5⅞ in wide and 1 ft 11⅝ in–4 ft 11 in tall; recommended spacing 23½ in.
Sources (19) Checked 24 October 2026
- api.gbif.org 2 3
- missouribotanicalgarden.org
- plants.ces.ncsu.edu
- pollen.lu
- allergieinformationsdienst.de
- rhs.org.uk 2 3
- yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu
- plants.usda.gov
- Invasive plant lists — this species is not on them: EASIN, EU, Slovakia, Czechia, Germany, Poland, Denmark
Similar plants
Have a look at these too.
fountain grass
Pennisetum alopecuroides
1 ft 7⅝ in–5 ft 10⅞ in × 1 ft 3¾ in–3 ft 11¼ in
Low maintenancegrass
tufted hair grass
Deschampsia cespitosa
1 ft 11⅝ in–3 ft 11¼ in × 1 ft 3¾ in–1 ft 11⅝ in
Low maintenancegrass
Uses
In the garden and at home.
Pollinators
few