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what is miscanthus grass

If you’ve ever admired the graceful sway of ornamental grasses in a New Zealand garden, you’ve likely spotted Miscanthus grass. But what is Miscanthus grass, and why has it become a beloved staple among landscapers and gardeners alike? Miscanthus grass, belonging to the Miscanthus genus, is a group of tall, clump-forming perennial grasses known for their arching foliage, feathery flower plumes, and year-round interest. Originally native to East Asia, these robust plants thrive in New Zealand’s varied climates and offer versatility, low maintenance, and stunning structural appeal.

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.

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Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Grasses
Height: 1.75 m
Spread: 1.50 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.

From $19.95

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Grasses
Height: 1.50 m
Spread: 1.00 m
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wind
Garden uses: Living areas, Ponds, Pool areas
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Riparian
Lomandra Green Allure plant with lush, green foliage.
Lomandra Green Allure

Lomandra 'Green Allure' is a hardy evergreen ornamental grass with fine fresh green foliage and a neat clumping habit. It is an excellent choice for...

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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...

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Lomandra Frosty Tops with lush blue foliage in a garden.
Lomandra 'Frosty Tops'

Lomandra 'Frosty Tops' is a hardy, evergreen grass featuring elegant, blue-grey foliage and a soft, weeping form. Growing to around 50 cm tall and...

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Lomandra Little Pal plants with lush green foliage.
Lomandra 'Little Pal'

Lomandra 'Little Pal' is a compact ornamental grass grown for its fine, green-yellow foliage and tidy, rounded form. Growing to approximately 60 cm...

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Lomandra Tankia with lush green foliage bordering a path.
Lomandra 'Tanika'

Lomandra Tanika is a hardy, Australian Native grass that is commonly known as Mat Rush. This grass features fine, deep-green foliage and a graceful...

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Lomandra 'Echidna' grass growing as a mass planting beside a path.
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Lomandra 'Echidna' is a hardy evergreen ornamental grass with a dense compact habit and fine textured foliage. It is an excellent choice for NZ...

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Juncus edgariae (Wiwi) plants growing in a wetland.
Juncus edgariae (Edgar's Rush)

Juncus edgariae, commonly known as Wiwi, is the most prevalent species of Rush in New Zealand and grows as a tight clump with bright green, stem-like...

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Hakonechloa macra 'Albovariegata' plant.
Hakonechloa 'Albovariegata'

Hakonechloa macra 'Albovariegata', commonly known as variegated Japanese Forest Grass, features lush foliage that is variegated dark green with...

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Poa cita grass plants on a plateau overlooing the sea.
Poa cita

Poa cita, commonly known as Silver Tussock, is a clump-forming NZ native grass with delicate, green foliage that wafts gracefully in the breeze. It...

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Cyperus ustulatus growing in water.
Cyperus ustulatus (Giant Umbrella Sedge)

Cyperus ustulatus, commonly known as the Giant Umbrella Sedge, is a large and robust NZ native grass. It grows as a clump and produces dark green...

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Festuca coxii (Blue Fescue) grass growing in a garden.
Festuca coxii (Blue Fescue)

Festuca coxii, commonly known as Blue Fescue, is a hardy NZ native, ornamental grass that features fine, blue foliage. Straw-coloured seed heads...

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Austroderia fulvida (Toetoe) plants in a garden with cascading green foliage and white flower plumes.
Austroderia fulvida (Toetoe)

Austroderia fulvida, commonly known as Toetoe or Toi Toi, is a large and vigorous NZ native grass. It bears long, narrow, mid-green leaves that are...

From$13.73
Lomandra Nyalla grass with blue-green foliage in a border planting.
Lomandra 'Nyalla'

Lomandra 'Nyalla' is a hardy ornamental grass featuring delicate, lush green foliage and a graceful, arching form. Reaching approximately 80 cm in...

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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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Lomandra 'Katrinus Deluxe' plant with lush, dark green foliage.
Lomandra Katrinus Deluxe

Lomandra Katrinus Deluxe is an evergreen, ornamental grass known for its mid-green, arching foliage and tidy clumping habit. Growing to approximately...

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festuca-banks-peninsula-blue-1
Festuca 'Banks Peninsula Blue' (Blue Fescue Grass)

Festuca 'Banks Peninsula Blue' is a striking ornamental grass valued for its fine, steel blue foliage that forms neat, compact clumps. This hardy...

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Lomandra longifolia plant beside a path with lush, green foliage.
Lomandra longifolia (Basket Grass)

Lomandra longifolia (Basket Grass) is a resilient, evergreen ornamental grass native to Australia. Growing to approximately 60 cm in height and 65 cm...

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Ophiopogon japonicus nana (dwarf Mondo grass) growing between paving stones.
Ophiopogon japonicus Nana

Ophiopogon japonicus 'Nana' is a dwarf or mini Mondo Grass grown for its delicate, dark green foliage. Flower spikes are borne in summer and bear...

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Sisyrinchium californicum plants with yellow flowers and fine, green foliage.
Sisyrinchium californicum

Sisyrinchium californicum, commonly known as the Golden Eyed Grass, is an herbaceous perennial grown for both its foliage and flowers. It bears...

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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...

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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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isolepsis-cernua-1
Isolepis cernua (Scirpus cernua)

Isolepis cernua (Fiber Optic Grass) is a distinctive ornamental grass prized for its fine green stems tipped with tiny white flowers that resemble...

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Carex dissita (Purei) plant growing in a native garden.
Carex dissita (Purei)

Carex dissita, commonly known as Purei or Forest Sedge, features arching, mid-green leaves that radiate from a central clump. It typically grows to...

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Carex comans Bronze plant in a garden with dense bronze foliage.
Carex comans 'Bronze'

Carex comans 'Bronze' features slender, hair-like, bronze-brown foliage. It typically grows to 40 cm tall and the same width. Carex comans 'Bronze'...

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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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Chrysopogon zizanioides grass plants growing alongside a stream.
Chrysopogon zizanioides

Chrysopogon zizanioides (Vetiver Grass) is a hardy, evergreen clump forming grass renowned for its deep root system, attractive upright foliage, and...

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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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Carex solandri grass in a NZ native planting.
Carex solandri

Carex solandri is a NZ native, ornamental grass that features attractive, dark green foliage. The foliage emerges upright and develops a gentle and...

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ignite-herbicide-1
Ignite Herbicide

Ignite is a selective herbicide used to control foreign grasses in a Fine Fescue lawn. It is not to be used on Tall Fescue or any other lawn types...

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Ophiopogon planiscapus (Mondo Grass) with lush green foliage growing as a ground cover.
Ophiopogon planiscapus

Ophiopogon planiscapus, commonly known as Dwarf Lilyturf, is a Mondo grass grown for its fine, dark green foliage and short stature. The foliage is...

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Miscanthus 'Zebrinus'

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

Search what is miscanthus grass

Key Features of Miscanthus Grass

Miscanthus grasses are renowned for their elegant, fountain-like form and distinctive foliage. Depending on the variety, you’ll find blades in shades ranging from deep green to variegated bands of creamy white or even zebra-like stripes. One of the most famous species is Miscanthus sinensis, widely valued for its ornamental plumes appearing from late summer into autumn. These flower heads can stay attractive well into winter, providing textural interest when most garden plants have faded.

Gardeners often ask, what is Miscanthus grass used for beyond its obvious beauty? Its robust growth and dense clumping make it ideal for screening, windbreaks, and mass plantings. It’s also drought-tolerant once established, perfect for sustainable New Zealand gardens.

Popular Types of Miscanthus Grass

There are several standout varieties that bring unique colour and texture to any garden design. The elegantly narrow-leaved Miscanthus 'Morning Light' is prized for its subtle silver variegation, which shimmers in the sun and adds a luminous contrast to mixed borders. For a truly showstopping specimen, Miscanthus 'Zebrinus' dazzles with its horizontal yellow bands across green foliage, creating a striking “zebra” effect.

Another favourite among New Zealand gardeners is Miscanthus Gracillimus, renowned for its fine-textured leaves and graceful, arching form that pairs well with both natives and exotics. For those wanting a splash of cream alongside lush greenery, Miscanthus sinensis 'Variegatus' delivers striking variegated leaves that brighten up garden beds or containers.

Planting and Caring for Miscanthus Grass

Once you understand what is Miscanthus grass, you’ll appreciate how easy it is to grow. Miscanthus thrives in full sun and well-drained soils. It’s a highly adaptable grass suited to a wide range of environments across New Zealand, performing reliably from coastal gardens to rural properties. Plant young grasses in spring or autumn, water them well as they establish, and mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.

Maintenance is simple—just cut back the old foliage in late winter before new growth ensues. Miscanthus is largely pest and disease resistant and seldom needs dividing more than once every few years.

Bring Miscanthus Grass to Your Garden

Whether you’re landscaping a large rural block or looking for a striking focal point for your home garden, Miscanthus grass offers year-round beauty and practical benefits. Explore favourites such as Miscanthus sinensis, Miscanthus Gracillimus, and Miscanthus 'Morning Light', and transform your outdoor space with the elegance and resilience that Miscanthus brings.

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.

Illustration of plant leaves.
The spotlight often lands on Gardenia 'Veitchii' and Buxus sempervirens (Boxwood), but Feijoa 'Takaka', Sophora longicarinata (Limestone Kowhai), and Neomarica northiana deserve a standing ovation too.
–The Plant Company

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