- Height 10-14 Inches
- Width 10-14 Inches
- Use as a filler when using in containers
- Award winning plant perfect for water features!
Although not a true grass, Isolepis cernua aka Scirpus cernuus, is a grass like annual in many parts of the United States and perennial in others. Where it is perennial, it is evergreen. In colder climates it should be treated as an annual and will not return the following spring on the same roots. Tiny white fluffy flowers bloom at the very tip of the stem giving credence to the name Fiber Optic Grass. Graceful Grasses Fiber Optic Grass is an award winner in northern and southern gardens.
Native to North America in Zones 8a through 10b, all other zones can plant this annual out after all danger of frost has passed. It thrives in part to full sun, and makes a great border, edging or mass planting in your spring garden. It also makes a great container plant and can be brought indoors before the first frost to give you the benefit of its evergreen capabilities. It is also a marginal wetland plant that would look great in your water feature.
Graceful Grasses Fiber Optic Grass Care
Care is easy as long as you meet its growing requirements. Full sun, moist peaty, sandy soil, or even a shallow spot in your water garden edge will give it the water it craves. Soil pH should be slightly acidic at 5.8 to 6.2 as most annuals prefer. Give it regular fertilizing if kept in containers and a water soluble fertilizer if in a water garden (be sure to check for fish safe fertilizers if you have a fish population).
Deadheading is not required as the plant creates its own appeal by changing its white silvery flowers to a brown/tan seed pod that is not unattractive on its own. You can prune it back by about ⅓ by shearing it straight across and it will put out new growth. Dividing the root ball can be done in early spring/late winter, but be aware this creates a cold sensitive plant at that point and in colder climates it may not survive the winter.
Graceful Grasses Fiber Optic Grass Spacing
Spacing is not really crucial for this grass-like plant as they only grow up to 14 inches tall and 14 inches wide. Plantings should be spaced 10 to 12 inches apart for a low mounding/cascading effect in large containers. Pair this annual with other full sun annuals like papyrus, hypoestes, sedum, argyranthemum, coleus, calibrachoa, euphorbia and salvia just to name a few. The medium green hair-like stems contrast well with warm and cool palette color schemes.
Graceful Grasses® Fiber Optic Grass Information
| USDA Hardiness Zones: 8-10 |
| Flower Color(s): White |
| Bloom Period: Early Summer, Mid Summer, Late Summer |
| Foliage Color(s) Green |
| Light Exposure: Partial Sun to Full Sun |
| Height Class: Short |
| Height: 10-14 Inches |
| Spread: 10-14 Inches |
| Spacing: 10-12 Inches |
| Habit: Mounded |
| Watering: Average |
| Drought Tolerant: No |
| Container Role: Filler |
| Use Types: Container, Houseplant, Landscape |
| Features: Native to North America, Deadheading Not Necessary |
| Maintenance: Easy |
| Scientific Name: Isolepis (Scirpus) cernuus |
| Common Name: Graceful Grasses® Fiber Optic Grass |
| Other Name(s): |
| Plant Type: Annual |
| Brand: Proven Winners |
- SKU:
- SCIFO
Container Sizes
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
4.5" Pot
Also Known As:
4.5" Container
Plant Age:
~ 6 months
Plant Size:
~ 3"-6"
Pot Size:
~ 4.5"H x 3.75"W
Volume:
1.42 quarts
Quart Pot
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
2.5 Quart
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
#1 Pot
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
#2 Pot
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
#3 Pot
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
For more detailed information, please click here.
Plant Addicts Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)
Plant Addicts always guarantees your plant(s) will arrive happy & healthy. However, plant(s) are being shipped through the mail & sometimes accidents happen. If the plant is dead, has dried out roots or the incorrect item was shipped, just notify Plant Addicts within 3 days upon delivery. We may ask for pictures but will try to make it as easy as possible for you. Please note, plant(s) with damaged branches or wilted leaves will not qualify for this guarantee. Plants are very resilient and will rebound quickly when cared for correctly.
For more information on how to care for your new plants, please click on our guide below.
Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)
Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)
We encourage all plant lovers to purchase the Plant Addicts Warranty, whether you're a new gardener or an expert. There are many variables outside of anyone's control that can cause a plant to die. Hungry animals, drought, poor soil conditions, over watering, diseases & pests are all good examples of what can cause plants to die. The Plant Addicts Warranty is a 1 year warranty protecting you from all of the unknowns and will replace your plant if something were to happen to it.
The warranty is purchased on a per plant basis and must be purchased at the same time as the plant(s). We will cover 100% of the price of the plant, but the warranty does not cover shipping costs. SImply let us know if your plant has died within 1 year of receiving it and we will get you a new one shipped out as soon as possible (depending on the time of the year and availability). We may ask for photos for documentation purposes, but we try to make the process as easy as possible.
For more information, please click on our page below.
Plant Shipping
Below are some factors we consider when determining when to ship the plants depending on the timing of the order.
Winter to Early Spring
We ship only when it's warm enough to plant in your growing zone.
Sometimes plants aren't completely ready to sell and ship in early spring. We will wait until the plants are ready before shipping so you don't get a subpar product.
For Southern plants we will be able to ship much earlier than plants coming from our northern nursery.
Summer
If there is extreme heat we may delay shipping for a week or several weeks.
We review what areas the plants are traveling through as well as your location.
Fall into Winter
We’ll ship plants out all the way up to the end of the fall planting season!
Winter
Get your order in early to reserve your plants for Spring planting!
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an automated email with tracking information.
Click here for more detailed shipping information.
Planter Shipping
Standard Colors: 2-3 business days
Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice
Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations