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miscanthus grass height

Curious about miscanthus grass height and how tall these stunning ornamental grasses can grow in your New Zealand garden? Miscanthus grasses are prized for their striking upright shape, textured foliage, and ability to create impact in landscape designs. Their height varies by cultivar, making it easy to find the perfect fit for privacy screens, feature plantings, or adding vertical interest to your garden beds.

Zebra grass (Miscanthus 'Zebrinus') leaves with cream and green stripes.

Miscanthus 'Zebrinus'

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Miscanthus 'Zebrinus' (Zebra Grass) is a striking ornamental grass recognised for its bold horizontal yellow banding across arching green leaves. This dramatic variety adds strong visual interest and movement to New Zealand gardens throughout the growing season. Its upright clumping habit makes it ideal for borders mass planting and feature positions. Easy to grow and low maintenance Miscanthus 'Zebrinus' is perfect for adding texture and contrast to garden landscapes.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Grasses
Height: 1.50 m
Spread: 1.20 m
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wind
Garden uses: Containers, Living areas, Ponds, Pool areas
Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Riparian
An elegant Miscanthus sinensis grass with cream-coloured flower plumes and lush green foliage.

Miscanthus sinensis

Miscanthus sinensis is an ornamental grass that grows as a clump of narrow, arching, green leaves. The colouring gives a light silver-green effect to the foliage, hence the common name, Japanese Silver Grass. Tall spikes of plum-like flowers are borne in summer, which are cream with a pink tone as they grow to 1.5 m tall and 1 m wide. Miscanthus sinensis is commonly included in mixed plantings, planted around a water feature, used as a backdrop for other plants, or included in borders.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Grasses
Height: 1.00 m
Spread: 1.00 m
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wind
Garden uses: Borders, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Ponds, Pool areas
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Riparian
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Ophiopogon japonicus Silver Mist grass in a garden.
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Lomandra Frosty Tops

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Apodasmia similis growing in a rock garden.
Apodasmia similis (Oi Oi)

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Cymbopogon citratus (Lemongrass)

Cymbopogon citratus (aka Andropogon citratus), commonly known as Lemongrass Grass or Citronella Grass, grows as a clump and produces flavoursome and...

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Ficinia nodosa (Knobby Club Rush)

Ficinia nodosa, commonly known as Knobby Club Rush, is a NZ native grass that features stout, mid-green foliage. In cold or exposed climates, the...

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Lomandra 'Seascape' grass with elegant, blue-green foliage growing beside a pond.
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Lomandra confertifolia 'Seascape' is a hardy, evergreen ornamental grass featuring slender, blue-grey foliage with a graceful, weeping habit. Forming...

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Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster' grasses as a mass planting and featuring elegant, cream-coloured flower heads as plumes.
Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster'

Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster' is a popular ornamental grass known for its upright, clump-forming habit and tall, feathery flower plumes. It grows to...

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Dactylis glomerata (Cat Grass)

Dactylis glomerata, commonly known as Cat Grass or Catnip Grass, is a popular grass that is loved by cats. It features flowing, green foliage held as...

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Lomandra 'Echidna' grass growing as a mass planting beside a path.
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The Lomandra Echidna grass is a tough and reliable plant with outstanding aesthetics. It features lush, mid-green foliage held upright with a gentle...

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A large Calamagrostis 'Overdam' grass with elegant, variegated foliage.
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Carex 'Everlime' plants for sale at The Plant Company nursery.
Carex 'Everlime' (Lime Grass Plant)

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Carex buchananii with lush brown foliage growing as a specimen plant in a rock garden.
Carex buchananii (Buchanans Sedge)

Carex buchananii, commonly known as Leatherleaf Sedge, is a striking New Zealand native grass-like plant with delicate, upright, copper-bronze...

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Ophiopogon japonicus (Green Mondo Grass) growing as a groundcover in a woodland garden.
Ophiopogon japonicus

Ophiopogon japonicus, commonly known as green Mondo Grass, is a striking ornamental grass. It grows as a clump and produces a dense tuft of...

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Lomandra Green Allure plant with lush, green foliage.
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Carex comans green plants with dense, green foliage in a garden.
Carex comans Green

Carex comans Green is a NZ native, ornamental grass featuring slender and arching, lime green foliage. It grows as a tidy clump to about 40 cm tall...

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Carex flagellifera Green plant with lush and colourful foliage.
Carex flagellifera Green

Carex flagellifera Green is a NZ native, ornamental grass grown for its attractive foliage. It produces slender and lush, green leaves as it grows to...

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Orange foliage on Carex testacea.
Carex testacea

Carex testacea, commonly known as Orange Sedge, is a striking New Zealand native grass admired for its fine, arching foliage that turns a brilliant...

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A stunning Amenity Ryegrass lawn.
Amenity Ryegrass Seed (Lawn Seed)

Rye Grass Seed lawns are quick to establish and features dark green leaves year-round. Our Amenity Rye Grass is a popular turf variety that is...

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A large planting of Stipa gigantea (Golden Oat Grass) as a feature garden.
Stipa gigantea

Stipa gigantea, commonly known as the Golden Oat Grass, is a large, ornamental grass. It grows as a clump and produces narrow, dark green leaves. The...

From$15.11
Imperata 'Red Baron' with colourful, red foliage
Imperata Red Baron

Imperata 'Red Baron', commonly known as Japanese Blood Grass, features leaves that are green at the base and become red further up the blade. Through...

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Chionochloa flavicans (Miniature ToeToe) plants with cascading cream-coloured flowers.
Chionochloa flavicans (Miniature Toetoe)

Chionochloa flavicans, commonly known as Miniature ToeToe or Dwarf Toe Toe, is a highly popular NZ native grass. It has flowing, green foliage and...

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Lomandra Lime Tuff in a garden showing elegant foliage.
Lomandra Lime Tuff

Lomandra 'Lime Tuff' is a hardy evergreen ornamental grass valued for its vibrant lime green foliage and compact tidy growth habit. This versatile...

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Carex flagellifera Red plants.
Carex flagellifera Red

Carex flagellifera Red is a NZ native, ornamental grass grown for its colourful and attractive foliage. It produces slender and lush, copper-red...

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Carex 'Frosted Curls' plants with elegant green foliage growing in a pot with other plants.
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Miscanthus 'Zebrinus'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Apodasmia, Isolepis, and Lomandra, or related Categories - Grasses, and Mondo Grass.

Search miscanthus grass height

How Tall Does Miscanthus Grass Grow?

Typically, miscanthus grass height ranges from about 1.5 metres up to an impressive 3 metres depending on the variety, growing conditions, and age of the plant. Most miscanthus grasses create tall, arching clumps with feathery flower plumes that rise above the foliage in late summer and autumn. Due to their height and rapid growth, miscanthus grasses are a popular solution for hedging, screening, and natural windbreaks.

Height Differences Among Popular Miscanthus Varieties

Every miscanthus variety has its unique growth habit and mature height. Here's a snapshot of the most sought-after varieties, each with its own dramatic presence:

Factors That Influence Miscanthus Grass Height

Miscanthus grass height depends on several factors. Optimal sun (at least six hours daily), adequate moisture, and fertile, well-drained soil help reach maximum size. Most varieties become their full height by mid-summer but keep in mind that immature or newly-planted miscanthus may take a couple of seasons to achieve their maximum height. In exposed areas or poor soil, the grasses may remain shorter than expected.

Choosing the Right Miscanthus for Your Garden

When selecting a variety, consider both your design goals and the mature miscanthus grass height. For smaller gardens, compact varieties like Miscanthus 'Morning Light' offer manageable growth without overwhelming the space. Taller miscanthus, like Miscanthus sinensis and Miscanthus Gracillimus, are ideal for creating privacy, dividing areas, or forming dramatic planting backdrops.

For more information on each variety and to find the perfect miscanthus grass for your garden, explore our featured selection:
Miscanthus sinensis 'Variegatus', Miscanthus 'Morning Light', Miscanthus 'Zebrinus', Miscanthus Gracillimus, and Miscanthus sinensis.

With the right choice, you’ll enjoy handsome, towering grasses that add structure and movement all year long.


Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

It’s easy to pick Lomandra 'Tanika' and Lomandra Frosty Tops, but garden variety is all about adding surprises like Pittosporum 'Irish Luck', Acer 'Orangeola', and Westringia 'Smokey'.
–The Plant Company

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