sugarcane plumegrass
Erianthus giganteus
USDA zones4 to 10
SunNeeds full sun (6+ hours)
WaterHandles moderate to wet soil
Sizeup to 10 feet tall
- Habit
- Grass/grass-like
- Bloom season
- Autumn
- Bloom color
- Red
- Foliage color
- Green
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay
- Soil pH
- Acidic (pH<6.8)
Garden uses
Notes
Sugarcane plumegrass (Erianthus giganteus) is a grass for specimen planting and meadows. It is hardy to USDA zone 4, or down to -30°F (-34°C). This plant likes full sun and average to wet, sandy, loamy, or clay soil. It grows 6 to 10 feet tall and has fluffy reddish-peach seed heads in early fall. The clump gets bigger each year, so you can dig part of the roots during the dormant period to keep it in check. It does best at the edge of ponds, streams, or water gardens.
Pairs well with Swamp milkweed, Royal fern, and Apricotta cosmos.
Native range
AL, AR, DC, DE, and 16 more places. See all 20
AL, AR, DC, DE, FL, GA, KY, LA, MD, MO, MS, NC, NJ, NY, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, and VA.