Repotting guide

When & how to repot Stripe It Rich Hakone Grass (Hakonechloa macra 'Stripe It Rich')

Also called Golden Hakone Grass, Japanese Forest Grass 'Stripe It Rich'.

More about stripe it rich hakone grass

About Stripe It Rich Hakone Grass

Hakonechloa macra 'Stripe It Rich' · also called Golden Hakone Grass, Japanese Forest Grass 'Stripe It Rich' · flowering

Stripe It Rich Hakone Grass is a slow-growing, cascading ornamental grass from Japanese mountain woodlands, prized for its arching bright gold and green striped leaves that turn russet and red in autumn. It thrives in dappled shade and moist, fertile soil. It is not listed by the ASPCA as toxic and is considered pet-safe.

Mature size: 30-50 cm tall, 45-60 cm wide

Watch for — Vine weevil: Larvae feed on roots in containers. Apply a biological nematode drench in spring and autumn as a preventative measure.

How to tell stripe it rich hakone grass needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For stripe it rich hakone 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 stripe it rich hakone 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 stripe it rich hakone grass

Only every 2–4 years, when genuinely crowded. Stripe It Rich Hakone 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. Slow-growing mound-forming cascading deciduous grass.

What size pot to step stripe it rich hakone grass up to

Go up only one pot size — roughly 2–3 cm (about an inch) wider in diameter, no more. Stripe It Rich Hakone 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 stripe it rich hakone 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 stripe it rich hakone grass

Early spring, just as new growth restarts, is the ideal window for stripe it rich hakone 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 stripe it rich hakone grass

Confirm it actually needs it. Slide stripe it rich hakone 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 stripe it rich hakone 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 moist, humus-rich well-draining loamy mix, 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 stripe it rich hakone 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 stripe it rich hakone grass

Stripe It Rich Hakone Grass wants moist, humus-rich well-draining loamy mix. Thrives in fertile, organic-rich compost with good moisture retention. A mix of quality multi-purpose compost and peat-free leaf mould (2:1) with added perlite for drainage is ideal in containers. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting stripe it rich hakone grass — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot stripe it rich hakone grass?

Only every 2–4 years, when genuinely crowded for stripe it rich hakone grass. Only repot stripe it rich hakone 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 moist, humus-rich well-draining loamy mix. The key mistake is over-potting: a too-big pot stays wet and rots the roots.

What size pot does stripe it rich hakone grass need?

When is the best time of year to repot stripe it rich hakone grass?

Does stripe it rich hakone grass like to be root-bound?

Yes — stripe it rich hakone 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 stripe it rich hakone grass after repotting?

Not immediately. Wait about 4 weeks after repotting stripe it rich hakone 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.