Call us: 0800 843 752Free shipping for orders $150 or over
Gift Vouchers

variegated miscanthus

Variegated miscanthus is a stunning ornamental grass that brings year-round interest and vibrant texture to New Zealand gardens. Renowned for its elegant, arching leaves streaked with creamy white or silver variegation, this grass instantly adds a fresh, luminous quality to borders, landscaping schemes, and container plantings. Whether you’re after a striking backdrop for flowering perennials or a bold stand-alone feature, variegated miscanthus is as versatile as it is beautiful.

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

Miscanthus 'Zebrinus'

5 from 1 customers

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
Ctenanthe lubbersiana plant with yellow and green foliage.
Ctenanthe lubbersiana

Ctenanthe lubbersiana, commonly known as the Bamburanta Plant is a lush foliage plant that is commonly grown indoors as a potted plant. It features...

From$44.09
Chlorophytum comosum variegatum plants growing in pots on a shelf.
Chlorophytum comosum variegatum (Spider Plant)

Chlorophytum comosum Variegatum, commonly known as the Spider Plant, is a tender, herbaceous perennial grown for its lush and variegated foliage. It...

From$20.01
schefflera-variegata-
Schefflera arboricola variegated

The variegated Schefflera (Schefflera arboricola Variegated) is an evergreen shrub commonly grown as a houseplant due to its attractive and...

From$27.53
tiarella-neon-lights-
Tiarella Neon Lights

Tiarella Neon Lights is an herbaceous perennial grown for both its foliage and flowers. It grows as a clump, producing large leaves that are...

From$24.77
pittosporum-tenuifolium-variegata-4
Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Variegata'

Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Variegata' is an attractive evergreen shrub renowned for its beautifully variegated foliage and elegant growth habit. The...

From$22.01
ulmus-carpinifolia-variegata-4
Ulmus carpinifolia Variegata (Field Elm)

Ulmus carpinifolia Variegata, commonly known as Field Elm or Variegated Elm tree, is a stately, deciduous tree grown for its colourful foliage. The...

From$557.95
peperomia-clusiifolia-
Peperomia clusiifolia

Peperomia clusiifolia, commonly known as the Jelly Plant, is a popular and easy to grow indoor plant. It produces short stems carrying thick and...

From$34.43
Coprosma kirkii 'Variegata' plants in pots.
Coprosma kirkii 'variegata'

Coprosma kirkii 'Variegata' is a hardy NZ native groundcover shrub admired for its trailing habit and attractive variegated foliage of green edged...

From$20.63
Dianella 'Margaret Pringle' plant in a pot.
Dianella 'Margaret Pringle'

Dianella 'Margaret Pringle' bears spikes carrying delicate, blue flowers in spring, which are followed by small, blue berries in summer. These are...

From$19.25
chlorophytum-curly--2
Chlorophytum Curly (Curly Spider Plant)

Chlorophytum Curly, commonly known as the Curly Spider Plant or Airplane plant, is a tender, herbaceous perennial grown for its lush, variegated, and...

From$22.01
Acorus gramineus variegata plants growing in pots with green and cream foliage.
Acorus gramineus variegatus

Acorus gramineus variegatus, commonly known as Variegated Sweet Flag, is an attractive ornamental grass-like plant prized for its elegant green and...

From$20.63
Cornus controversa variegata (Wedding Cake Tree) specimen in a large garden.
Cornus controversa variegata

Cornus controversa variegata, commonly referred to as the Wedding Cake Tree, features tiered branches that bear leaves that are variegated cream and...

From$340.69
acer-esk-sunset-
Acer Esk Sunset (Eskimo Sunset Maple)

Acer pseudoplatanus Esk Sunset, commonly known as the Eskimo Sunset Sycamore Maple, is grown for its rich and colourful foliage. The lush leaves on...

From$425.89
viburnum-tinus-variegatum--1
Viburnum tinus variegatum

Viburnum tinus variegatum is an evergreen shrub that features variegated foliage and showy flowers. Pink flower buds open to reveal showy clusters of...

From$27.53
agave-americana-variegata--1
Agave americana variegata

Agave americana variegata, commonly known as the Variegated Century Plant, is a large succulent that features broad, powder-blue leaves with yellow...

From$26.15
Ophiopogon japonicus Silver Mist grass in a garden.
Ophiopogon Silver Mist (Silver Mondo Grass)

Ophiopogon 'Silver Mist' is a dwarf silver Mondo Grass, and features fine, grass-like foliage that is variegated dark green and white. It typically...

From$8.97
Senecio rowleyanus variegata (Variegated String of Pearls) with trailing foliage growing in a pot.
Senecio rowleyanus variegata

Senecio rowleyanus variegata, commonly known as the Variegated String of Pearls, is a succulent grown for its interesting, bead-like foliage. It...

From$26.15
Metrosideros kermadecensis 'variegata' red flowers and variegated foliage.
Metrosideros kermadecensis variegata (Variegated Pohutukawa)

Metrosideros kermadecensis 'Variegata' is a striking NZ native shrub or small tree admired for its glossy green leaves edged with creamy variegation...

From$30.29
Buxus sempervirens variegata (Variegated Box) shrub with lush and colourful foliage.
Buxus sempervirens 'variegata'

Buxus sempervirens 'variegata' features small, mid-green leaves with cream-white edges on new growth, which age to become a darker green. It grows to...

From$20.63
Pittosporum eugenioides variegatum lush foliage.
Pittosporum eugenioides 'variegatum' (Variegated Tarata)

Pittosporum eugenioides Variegatum, commonly known as Variegated Tarata, features slender, dark coloured stems which bear dark green leaves with a...

From$22.01
Liriope muscari 'Gold Banded' plants with colourful, variegated foliage and pink flowers.
Liriope 'Gold Banded' (Variegated Liriope)

Liriope 'Gold Banded' produces green leaves edged with gold, and masses of lavender coloured flowers in summer. This herbaceous perennial grows as a...

From$19.25
Lomandra White Sands with elegant, variegated foliage in a courtyard garden.
Lomandra White Sands

Lomandra White Sands is a fabulous ornamental grass renowned for its variegated foliage. It features arching, cream, and green-striped leaves and...

From$26.15
A large Calamagrostis 'Overdam' grass with elegant, variegated foliage.
Calamagrostis 'Overdam'

Calamagrostis ‘Overdam’ is a striking variegated ornamental grass that delivers elegant upright form and delicate texture to garden borders and...

From$23.39
acer-ukigumo--1
Acer palmatum 'Ukigumo'

Acer palmatum 'Ukigumo' is a rare and highly ornamental Japanese Maple treasured for its striking white and pink variegated foliage. Often called the...

From$440.80
acer-palmatum-shirazz--3
Acer palmatum 'Shirazz'

Acer palmatum 'Shirazz' is a stunning variegated Japanese Maple admired for its rich purple red foliage edged with soft pink. The colourful leaves...

From$425.89
Cordyline australis albertii plants with variegated foliage.
Cordyline albertii

Cordyline albertii (Variegated Cabbage Tree) is a striking evergreen tree admired for its bold green leaves edged with creamy white variegation. This...

From$340.69
Ajuga reptans 'Variegata' plants with variegated foliage and blue flowers.
Ajuga reptans variegata

Ajuga reptans 'Variegata' is a quick-growing, ground-covering plant that features colourful leaves that are variegated green and cream. In spring, it...

From$17.87
Pandorea jasminoides variegata pink flower and variegated foliage.
Pandorea jasminoides variegata

Pandorea jasminoides 'Variegata' is a climber that features light pink, trumpet-shaped flowers with a dark pink throat from spring through autumn...

From$30.29
euphorbia-ascot-rainbow-1
Euphorbia 'Ascot Rainbow'

Euphorbia 'Ascot Rainbow' is a striking evergreen perennial known for its colourful variegated foliage featuring green, cream, and pink tones...

From$24.77
Hedera 'Silver Variegata' dark green and cream variegated foliage.
Hedera 'Silver Variegated'

Hedera ‘Silver Variegated’ is a striking evergreen ivy with silvery-green leaves edged in creamy white. Its elegant variegation brightens shaded...

From$20.63
Miscanthus 'Zebrinus'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Acer, Acorus, Agave, Ajuga, Buxus, Calamagrostis, Chlorophytum, Coprosma, Cordyline, Cornus, Ctenanthe, Dianella, Euphorbia, Hedera, Liriope, Lomandra, Metrosideros, Miscanthus, Ophiopogon, Pandorea, Peperomia, Pittosporum, Schefflera, Senecio, Tiarella Ulmus and Viburnum, or related Categories - Evergreen Climbers, Flaxes, Grasses, Mondo Grass, Groundcover Plants, Indoor Plants, Perennials, Evergreen Shrubs, Succulents, Deciduous Trees Evergreen Trees and Maple Tree.

Search variegated miscanthus

Why Choose Variegated Miscanthus?

Variegated miscanthus offers more than just good looks. Its robust, low-maintenance nature makes it a favourite for both home gardeners and landscape designers. This grass thrives in New Zealand’s diverse climates, tolerates coastal winds, and flourishes in full sun to part shade. It grows in dense clumps, reaching up to 1.5–2 metres tall, making it ideal for privacy screens, windbreaks, or adding architectural height to garden beds. In late summer and autumn, feathery flower plumes rise above the foliage, offering additional interest that lasts right through winter.

Popular Variegated Miscanthus Varieties

When searching for variegated miscanthus for your garden, you’ll find several outstanding varieties to suit different tastes and spaces. Our top pick is Miscanthus sinensis 'Variegatus', prized for its creamy-white striped foliage and graceful habit. If you prefer a subtler, silvery effect, consider Miscanthus 'Morning Light', which offers fine foliage with delicate variegation. For something more unique, Miscanthus 'Zebrinus' features horizontal gold banding across its leaves—an eye-catching alternative within the variegated miscanthus family. Traditionalists might also enjoy the slender elegance of Miscanthus Gracillimus, which complements variegated forms beautifully.

Design Ideas and Planting Tips

Variegated miscanthus is incredibly adaptable in the landscape. Plant it as a statement piece in a mixed border, repeat it for rhythm along pathways, or mass it for a modern, low-maintenance screen. Its light-toned foliage pairs well with deep green shrubs and flowering perennials. For contrasting texture and year-round interest, try planting variegated miscanthus alongside evergreen foliage plants such as Osmanthus heterophyllus Variegatus.

Choose a sunny to partly shaded site with well-drained soil, and allow space for your variegated miscanthus to spread. Cut back old stems in late winter or early spring to make way for fresh new growth. In exposed or windy sites, a layer of mulch helps retain moisture and protects roots.

Shop Variegated Miscanthus for Your Garden

Bring shine and movement to your garden with variegated miscanthus. Explore our quality selection, including Miscanthus sinensis 'Variegatus', Miscanthus 'Morning Light', Miscanthus 'Zebrinus', and Miscanthus Gracillimus. Place your order and enjoy a beautifully textural, low-maintenance garden feature.


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.

–The Plant Company

Explore Garden Inspiration

Sign up to receive a free $10 Voucher You won’t be bombarded with emails, just titbits of quality information from time to time Sign up
Free shipping on orders over $150!

Join our community of happy customers.

4.8

445 Google reviews