How big does Pampas grass grow?

About 2.5 m × 1.8 m after ten years (height × width). Its ultimate size is 1.8–3 m × 1.2–2.5 m.

What soil does Pampas grass grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, clay, sandy, calcareous, acidic.

Is Pampas grass hardy?

Hardy down to -18 °C (USDA zone 6, RHS H6). In the colder parts of the country (Greater Poland Voivodeship, Holy Cross Voivodeship, Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship, Lesser Poland Voivodeship, Łódź Voivodeship, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, Lublin Voivodeship, Lubusz Voivodeship, Masovian Voivodeship, Opole Voivodeship, Podlaskie Voivodeship, Pomeranian Voivodeship, Silesian Voivodeship, Subcarpathian Voivodeship, Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship) it may not survive winter without protection.

Is Pampas grass toxic to dogs?

No. Reliable sources list it as non-toxic to dogs.

Is Pampas grass toxic to cats?

No. Reliable sources list it as non-toxic to cats.

When does Pampas grass flower?

Flowering: August–October, white, silver.

How much water does Pampas grass need?

Water need: low. Drought tolerance: high.

How much does Pampas grass cost?

It sells for roughly PLN 19 to PLN 20 in local shops, depending on size.

Pampas grass

Cortaderia selloana

Pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana) is an ornamental grass that reaches 2.5 m × 1.8 m after ten years. Light: full sun, part shade. Hardy down to -18 °C. Drought tolerance: high. Non-toxic to dogs and cats. Sold in local shops from about PLN 19.

Illustration of Pampas grass — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

A huge, dense clump-forming grass with silvery-white feathery plumes from late summer, best as a single specimen in a roomy, sunny spot. It needs a lot of space and its leaves are razor sharp, so keep it away from paths, play areas and seats and always handle it with gloves. Give it free-draining soil, because winter wet combined with cold easily kills the crown.

Watch out for

Only conditionally hardy in Central Europe: damage can start at about -15 to -20 °C, and snow or water freezing in the centre of the clump rots the crown. Tie the foliage into a bundle before the first snow, mulch the base and cut it back only in April. Leaf edges are sharply serrated and cut skin easily; dry foliage is highly flammable. Its pollen can trigger allergy in people sensitive to grass pollen, in late summer and autumn. It is an invasive self-seeder in the mild-winter parts of southern and western Europe, although only its relative Cortaderia jubata is on the EU list.

Key facts

Light: Full sun, Part shade
Water need: Low
Care: Medium
Size after 10 years: 2.5 m × 1.8 m
Hardiness: down to -18 °C
Foliage: Evergreen
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D August–October, white, silver

All details

Group	Ornamental grass
Light	Full sun, Part shade
Size after 10 years	2.5 m × 1.8 m
Ultimate size	1.8–3 m × 1.2–2.5 m
Hardiness	down to -18 °C (USDA 6, RHS H6)
Soil	Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy, Calcareous, Acidic
Foliage	Evergreen
Flowering	August–October, white, silver
Water need	Low
Drought tolerance	High
Maintenance	Medium
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no
Spreading	Medium
Distance from buildings	no data
Distance from paving	no data
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	200 cm
For dogs	Non-toxic
For cats	Non-toxic
For children	no data
Typical price	from about PLN 19

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
size not stated	approx. PLN 19 – PLN 20

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 17, 2026 · How our data is made

Appears in these lists

Drought-tolerant plants Drought-tolerant plants for sandy soil Plants that are non-toxic to dogs Plants that are non-toxic to cats Plants for screening Ornamental grasses Plants for a Mediterranean garden

Looks good next to it

Red hot poker

Kniphofia uvaria

Adam's needle

Yucca filamentosa

Mountain rock cress

Arabis caucasica