Zebra grass

Questions about zebra grass

Does zebra grass need sun or shade?

Zebra grass grows in full sun (6 or more hours of direct sun a day).

It wants ordinary well-drained soil, of average fertility, and a good soak in dry spells. Once settled in, it stands drought.

What zones does zebra grass grow in?

USDA zones 5 to 9. It is hardy to zone 5, which means it survives winter nights down to about −10 °F (−23 °C).

Gardening in Canada? Use the USDA zone for your town: Canada's own zone map uses different numbers.

When does zebra grass flower in my zone?

In zone 5 it flowers mid September to late October. As an autumn flower it keeps much the same dates in every zone: it answers to shortening days and cool nights more than to the warmth of spring.

Worked out from Hopkins' bioclimatic law: spring arrives about four days later for each degree of latitude north, and one zone is roughly two degrees. A warm spring or a cold one moves any garden two weeks either way.

How far apart should zebra grass be planted?

4 ft (120 cm) apart, from the middle of one plant to the middle of the next. That is a little closer than its full width of 5 ft (150 cm), so a group knits into one patch.

It grows 6½ ft (200 cm) tall. Give it the full distance from anything taller, or it will lean out towards the light.

How many zebra grass plants do I need?

Usually one. At 4 ft (120 cm) across, it is a plant you place, not one you mass. For a hedge or screen, set them 4 ft apart: three plants for a 10 ft run.

Is zebra grass poisonous to dogs and cats?

No toxicity is recorded for dogs, cats, horses or people, according to NC State Extension.

"Not toxic" is not "edible": a pet that eats a lot of any plant can be sick.

What can I plant instead of zebra grass?

Zebra grass is listed as invasive in parts of North America, so the planner never uses it. These do the most similar job, and are native:

• Switchgrass 'Cloud Nine': the same job in a bed and the same colour; 12 in narrower, flowers early August to early October.
• Swamp sunflower: the same job in a bed and the same flowering time; 12 in narrower, yellow, not pink.
• Hollow Joe-Pye weed: the same job in a bed and the same colour; 8 in narrower, flowers late July to mid September.

Matched the way the planner's Swap button matches plants: the same job in a bed, then size, then flowering time.

Do deer eat zebra grass?

Mostly not. NC State lists it as resistant to deer. No plant is proof against a hungry deer in a hard winter, but this one is low on the menu.

Will zebra grass spread?

It seeds itself about; the risk of it taking over is moderate. Self-seeds in warm climates, and seedlings revert to the vigorous wild type. Listed as invasive in many eastern states and regulated in New York. Check local guidance before planting.

It is listed as invasive in parts of North America, and the planner never chooses it.

What does zebra grass look like in winter?

Zebra grass turns the colour of straw and, left uncut, stands through the winter, with seed for the birds. Cut it down in late winter, before the new shoots come up.

Is zebra grass good for bees and butterflies?

Zebra grass is visited by songbirds.