Overwintering guide
How to overwinter oriental fountain grass
Winter watering
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
The mistake that kills oriental fountain grass in winter
Cutting oriental fountain grass hard back in autumn "to tidy up". That removes the growth that shelters the crown, and on some plants removes next season's flower buds entirely.
More oriental fountain grass care
Overwintering oriental fountain grass — FAQ
Does oriental fountain grass need to come indoors for winter?
oriental fountain grass is hardy to roughly USDA zone 6 — winter lows around -23°C. That means it can stay outside all winter in most temperate gardens. oriental fountain grass is properly hardy and overwinters outside without fuss. Tidy away anything dead or diseased, apply a mulch over the crown to steady soil temperatures, and otherwise leave it alone — many hardy plants actually need a cold period to flower and grow well the following year. Save hard pruning for the right season rather than doing it in autumn.
When should I move oriental fountain grass for winter?
Tidy and mulch in late autumn; leave the plant undisturbed until spring.
How often should I water oriental fountain grass in winter?
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
What kills oriental fountain grass over winter?
Cutting oriental fountain grass hard back in autumn "to tidy up". That removes the growth that shelters the crown, and on some plants removes next season's flower buds entirely.