Repotting guide

When & how to repot Strawberries and Cream Ribbon Grass (Phalaris arundinacea 'Strawberries and Cream')

Also called strawberries and cream ribbon grass, pink-tinged ribbon grass.

More about strawberries and cream ribbon grass

About Strawberries and Cream Ribbon Grass

Phalaris arundinacea 'Strawberries and Cream' · also called strawberries and cream ribbon grass, pink-tinged ribbon grass · flowering

'Strawberries and Cream' is a selection of ribbon grass whose white-and-green variegated blades take on a soft pink or strawberry flush in cool spring and autumn weather. Like all ribbon grass it is vigorous and rhizomatous, spreading aggressively and best contained. Tough and adaptable to sun or shade and wet or dry soils, it offers eye-catching cool-season colour with minimal fuss.

Mature size: Foliage about 45-90 cm (1.5-3 ft) tall, with flower stems to roughly 100-120 cm; spread is effectively unlimited by rhizomes unless contained.

Watch for — Invasive spreading: Spreads aggressively by rhizomes like all ribbon grass; confine it to containers or use sturdy root barriers to prevent it overrunning beds.

How to tell strawberries and cream ribbon grass needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For strawberries and cream ribbon grass, watch for these signs:

Roots spiralling thickly out of the drainage holes or pushing the whole plant up out of the pot.
The pot is so packed that water runs straight through in seconds and barely wets the soil.
It has split a plastic pot, or the rootball is a solid mass with almost no soil left when you slide it out.
Growth and (for strawberries and cream ribbon grass) flowering have clearly stalled despite good light and feeding — but remember this plant likes being snug, so a little crowding alone is not a reason to repot.

For the underlying biology of a pot-bound root system and why it stalls a plant, see our guide to spotting and fixing a root-bound plant.

How often to repot strawberries and cream ribbon grass

Only every 2–4 years, when genuinely crowded. Strawberries and Cream Ribbon Grass is one of the plants that genuinely prefers a snug pot — it grows and flowers better with its roots a little restricted, so resist the urge to repot it on schedule. Vigorous, rhizomatous, spreading grass with upright variegated blades flushed pink in cool weather, topped by light flower panicles; a runner rather than a clump..

What size pot to step strawberries and cream ribbon grass up to

Go up only one pot size — roughly 2–3 cm (about an inch) wider in diameter, no more. Strawberries and Cream Ribbon Grass positively prefers a snug pot: it flowers and grows better when the roots are a little restricted. The single biggest repotting mistake here is over-potting — dropping strawberries and cream ribbon grass into a pot two or three sizes up. All that surplus soil holds water the small root system cannot use, stays cold and wet, and rots the roots within weeks. When in doubt, choose the smaller pot.

Not sure of the exact diameter? Our pot size calculator takes the current pot and root spread and tells you the right next size — it deliberately recommends a single step up, never a big jump.

The best time of year to repot strawberries and cream ribbon grass

Early spring, just as new growth restarts, is the ideal window for strawberries and cream ribbon grass. The plant is moving into its strongest growth phase and re-roots into fresh soil quickly. Avoid repotting in winter dormancy or, for flowering plants, while it is in bud or bloom — recovery is slowest then and you risk dropping the flowers.

Step-by-step: repotting strawberries and cream ribbon grass

Confirm it actually needs it. Slide strawberries and cream ribbon grass out and check the roots. Only continue if it is genuinely packed — this plant prefers a snug pot, so if there is still soil and room, put it straight back.
Pick a pot only one size up. Choose a pot just 2–3 cm wider with good drainage. Resist anything bigger; over-potting is the main killer here.
Ease it out gently. Water lightly the day before, then tip strawberries and cream ribbon grass out, supporting the base. Tease the outer roots free only enough to stop them circling.
Repot at the same depth. Add a layer of fresh adaptable, moisture-retentive soil, set the plant so the soil line sits exactly where it did before, and backfill around the sides, firming lightly.
Settle it in. Water once to settle the soil, then let it sit. Hold off on more water until the top of the soil dries — fresh soil around a small root system stays wet for a while.

Aftercare

Because the new soil holds more water than the old crammed rootball did, ease right back on watering — let the top of the soil dry before you water strawberries and cream ribbon grass again, or you will rot the roots in the very pot you just moved it to. Keep it out of harsh direct sun for a fortnight. Do not fertilise for about 4 weeks — fresh mix already carries nutrients and feeding freshly disturbed roots scorches them.

The right soil mix for strawberries and cream ribbon grass

Strawberries and Cream Ribbon Grass wants adaptable, moisture-retentive soil. Grows in nearly any soil from boggy to ordinary garden loam and clay over a broad pH range. Rich, damp soil maximises lush growth but also drives its aggressive spread. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting strawberries and cream ribbon grass — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot strawberries and cream ribbon grass?

Only every 2–4 years, when genuinely crowded for strawberries and cream ribbon grass. Only repot strawberries and cream ribbon grass every 2–4 years, and only when it is genuinely root-bound — it flowers and grows best slightly crowded. Step up just one pot size in spring using adaptable, moisture-retentive soil. The key mistake is over-potting: a too-big pot stays wet and rots the roots.

What size pot does strawberries and cream ribbon grass need?

When is the best time of year to repot strawberries and cream ribbon grass?

Does strawberries and cream ribbon grass like to be root-bound?

Yes — strawberries and cream ribbon grass genuinely flowers and grows best when slightly pot-bound, so do not rush to repot it. The mistake to avoid is over-potting into a much larger pot: the excess soil stays wet, the roots cannot use it, and the plant rots. Only repot every few years and only one snug size up.

Should you fertilise strawberries and cream ribbon grass after repotting?

Not immediately. Wait about 4 weeks after repotting strawberries and cream ribbon grass. Fresh mix already contains nutrients, and feeding freshly cut or disturbed roots burns them. Resume your normal feeding routine once you see new growth.