Pampas grass does not frond: what to do?

If the pampas grass drives out its attractive fronds, it is one of the most beautiful ornamental grasses in our gardens. But what if there is no flowering? This is how you get the pampas grass to bloom.

have patience

Pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana), the steppe grass from South America, enchants with its slightly overhanging, narrow, reed-like leaves and the impressive inflorescences, which can reach a height of 250 centimeters. These look like fronds and appear depending on the variety in different colors already from July, but mostly from September to November. However, the ornamental grass drives the decorative fronds only two to three years after planting. In order for the flowers to remain in bloom and become more beautiful from year to year, a number of requirements must be met.

Lots of sun needed

In a shady and cool location, the pampas grass remains relatively small and drives little or no fronds. For the flowering the grass needs a warm location with temperatures of at least 20 °C. When planting, keep in mind:

• lots of sun: at least four hours of sunshine a day
• Protection from the wind: otherwise the long stalks will snap off

Well drained soil

These ornamental grasses also make some demands on the soil. The grass does not frond on heavily compacted soils that tend to waterlogging. Especially in winter, waterlogging can be fatal to the plant. In its homeland, pampas grasses grow on sandy and alluvial soils. They would like to have similar conditions in their own garden:

• humus-rich, deep, well-drained soil
• moderately dry to moist
• slightly alkaline to slightly acidic
• ideal sandy-loamy soil

If the soil is slightly compacted, the ornamental grass should be transplanted or the soil improved:

• Carefully lift the plant out of the ground
• Enlarge the planting hole
• at least 60 cm deep and 100 cm wide
• loosen the subsoil
• Insert a drainage layer of sand/gravel
• Mix excavation with nutrient-rich humus or mature compost
• reintroduce grass
• Fill up the excavation and tamp down

Notice: Be careful when cutting back! Flower fronds can also be absent if at Cut the new shoot is injured or cut off completely.

Avoid care mistakes

Sometimes care errors can also be responsible for the fact that the pampas grass does not drive fronds. Even if these ornamental grasses are very easy to care for and are ideal as a beginner's plant, there are a few things to consider:

Fertilize

Due to its rapid growth, the ornamental grass has a high nutrient requirement. Inadequate, but also excessive nutrient supply can cause the imposing flower spikes to fail to appear. Mainly, the pampas grass needs nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus in a balanced ratio. Fertilization starts at the beginning of the growth phase or started after pruning in April/May. The fertilization must be stopped by August at the latest, otherwise it can be closed winter damage come. Only organic fertilizers should be used, for example:

coffee grounds

• proven household remedy with a high content of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus
• apply only completely dried
• PH value small amount
• deliver from May
• incorporate into soil once a month

horn shavings

• give after pruning
• about 50 to 80 grams per square meter
• incorporate into soil
• Amount sufficient for one season

mature compost

• Work into soil around plant
• about 50 to 80 grams per square meter
• first administer in May
• then once a month until August

Notice: Plant manure should not be used when fertilizing, because these are very rich in nitrogen and would only stimulate the growth of the leaf mass, but not the formation of the inflorescences.

to water

The ornamental grass reacts sensitively to too much and also to too little watering. In this way, the pampas grass does not sprout any fronds in the event of waterlogging. However, the root ball must never dry out completely. Just during the growing time the soil must always be moderately moist, but never to be:

• water in the morning or evening hours
• water around plant
• never from above into the heart of the grass

Tip: Applying a layer of mulch will keep moisture in the soil longer.

male plants

The absence of the flower spikes can also be due to the choice of plants. The ornamental grass belongs to the dioecious plants, so there are male and female grasses. Male plants produce no or very few inflorescences here. On the other hand, female pampas grass drives beautiful and strongly branched panicles of flowers. You should therefore pay attention to the gender when buying. Care should also be taken when sowing the grass if self-collected seed is used. There may not be a female plant.

Notice: Also pests like aphids can be responsible for the absence of inflorescences. Sucking out the plant juices weakens the grasses so enormously that they no longer have the energy to form flowers.

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