Red Leaved Miscanthus Grass

Light Needs

Partial Shade to Full Sun

(At Least 3 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

4-5 Feet

Mature Spread

2-3 Feet

Growing Zones

4 to 8

The Red Leaved Miscanthus Grass is a deep green hue for most of the year, but this ornamental grass puts on a show in the fall. Miscanthus sinensis 'Purpurascens' has slender foliage that gently arches and bends. As the weather turns cool, the foliage turns red, orange, and purple. Tall flower spikes emerge simultaneously, creating additional color and texture.

Like most grasses, this plant has a clump-forming growth habit. Red Leaved Miscanthus Grass has a compact form and only spreads about 2 to 3 feet wide, making it a good fit for smaller areas. Feature this grass in a yard with limited space or along a narrow walkway. Create a dazzling mass planting to give the illusion of a larger plant and frame an area. This grass grows as a perennial in zones 4 through 8.

Red Leaved Miscanthus Grass Care

While this plant can handle challenging conditions, it will thrive with proper care. Plant it in full sun in moist soil that is well-drained and acidic to mildly alkaline. Water this ornamental grass when the top few inches of soil are dry. Feed Red Leaved Miscanthus Grass with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in the spring.

Remove dead or damaged growth as needed. Prune the flowers to maintain a neat appearance. Trim all growth back to a few inches above soil level in late winter to early spring.

Red Leaved Miscanthus Grass Spacing

Thanks to its size, reaching 5 to 6 feet tall, this ornamental grass makes a statement. Space plants 2 to 3 feet apart, center to center, to create a seamless mass planting. If you want to create a more spread-out look, plant this grass about 5 feet apart.