Zebra Grass
Miscanthus sinensis 'Zebrinus'
A show-stopping ornamental grass famous for its distinctive horizontal yellow bands that create a striking zebra-like pattern across the green foliage. This eye-catching variety forms large, dramatic clumps that serve as living sculptures in the landscape, topped with feathery copper-colored plumes in fall. Zebra grass is perfect for gardeners who want to make a bold statement while enjoying easy-care, drought-tolerant beauty.
Sun
Full sun to partial sun
Zones
5–9
USDA hardiness
Height
4-12 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Zebra Grass in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 grass →Zone Map
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Zebra Grass · Zones 5–9
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
Complete Growing Guide
Light: #arching#showy flowers#invasive#full sun tolerant#salt tolerant#apvg#fall interest#high maintenance#fire high flammability#aggressive#deer resistant#wind dispersed seeds#self-seeding#disturbed areas#pollinator plant#fantz#dried arrangements#bird friendly#apvg-p#roadside#wildlife friendly#cpp#weedy#poor soil tolerant#HS111#HS303. Soil: Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand. Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally Dry, Occasionally Wet, Very Dry. Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 6-feet-12 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: 'Adagio', Bandwidth 'NCMS2B', 'Goldfeder', 'Goliath', 'Gracillimus', 'Graziella', 'Hinjo', 'Little Zebra', 'Malepartus', 'Morning Light', My Fair Maiden™ 'NCMS1', 'Rotsilber', 'Sarbonde', 'Scout', 'Silberfeder', 'Strictus', var. condensatus 'Cabaret', var. condensatus 'Cosmopolitan', 'Variegatus', 'Yaku Jima', 'Zebrinus'. Propagation: Division.
Harvesting
Color: Cream/Tan. Type: Aggregate, Caryopsis.
Harvest time: Fall, Summer
Bloom time: Fall, Spring, Summer
History & Origin
Origin: Asia
Advantages
- +Attracts: Some cultivars have shown good resistance to phytophthora.
- +Wildlife value: Birds are attracted to the seeds
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Black-Eyed Susan
Complementary bloom times and similar drought tolerance, creates attractive contrast
Purple Coneflower
Both are native prairie plants with similar water and soil requirements
Sedum
Low-growing succulent provides groundcover and contrasts well with tall grass texture
Russian Sage
Similar drought tolerance and provides purple blooms that complement grass plumes
Ornamental Alliums
Spherical flower heads create interesting form contrast with linear grass blades
Asters
Late season blooms extend garden interest when grass is at peak ornamental value
Catmint
Low maintenance perennial that provides color contrast and attracts beneficial insects
Coral Bells
Contrasting foliage colors and forms, tolerates partial shade from tall grass
Keep Apart
Black Walnut Trees
Produces juglone which can inhibit grass growth and cause yellowing
Dense Groundcovers
Compete aggressively for water and nutrients, can smother grass crown
Shallow-Rooted Vegetables
Zebra grass has extensive root system that outcompetes shallow-rooted plants
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Generally disease resistant and hardy
Common Pests
Aphids, scale insects (rarely problematic)
Diseases
Rust, leaf blight (in humid conditions)