Chinese Silvergrass

How to grow Chinese Silvergrass

Written by the GardenDecoded editorial team · Last reviewed 21 July 2026 · Written for UK gardens · How we research our guidance

Planting

Plant in spring rather than autumn so the clump establishes in warming soil. Give it full sun and room — mature clumps are wide, and it works best as a structural block in a large border or as a summer screen. Later-flowering cultivars may not flower reliably in cooler northern gardens, so check the flowering time before buying.

Pruning

Cut all stems down to about 10 cm in late February or March, before new growth starts. Leave the dead stems standing through winter: they hold their shape, catch frost and light, and are one of the best reasons to grow the plant.

Propagation

Divide in spring as growth begins. Established clumps are dense and tough, and a spade or a saw is usually needed rather than hand pulling.

Pests and diseases

Generally trouble-free. The commonest disappointment is failure to flower, which is down to insufficient sun or a cultivar that flowers too late for the site.

Value to wildlife

The standing winter stems shelter insects, and the clump gives cover for small birds.

Notes

It is clump-forming rather than running, so it does not invade. Divide every four or five years when the centre starts to open out and stems begin to flop.

This guidance was researched and written by GardenDecoded — see our editorial policy for how guides are checked and reviewed.

Other names for this plant

These names have all been used for Miscanthus sinensis but are no longer the accepted name. You may still meet them on old labels, in books, or in nursery catalogues.

Others in Miscanthus