Images Depict Mature Plants
Dwarf Pampas Grass (Cortaderia selloana ‘Pumila’)
Cortaderia selloana 'Pumila'
If you want a plant that makes your landscape look designed in one move, Dwarf Pampas Grass ‘Pumila’ is it—big creamy-white plumes, graceful movement, and a tough, low-maintenance attitude once it’s established. I love it for sunny borders, coastal gardens, and “soft privacy” screens where you want height without a hard wall. Give it sun, give it good drainage, water it well the first season, and it will repay you with bold texture for months.
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Buy Dwarf Pampas Grass for White Plumes, Big Texture, and Low-Maintenance Impact
A “Big Statement” Ornamental Grass in a More Compact Size
Dwarf Pampas Grass (Cortaderia selloana ‘Pumila’) delivers the iconic pampas look—feathery, creamy-white plumes and graceful arching foliage—without demanding a massive property to pull it off. It’s a smart choice for shoppers who want that high-end, architectural texture and a strong focal point, but still need a plant that fits modern foundation beds, borders, and smaller landscapes.
If you’re ready to buy Dwarf Pampas Grass online, ‘Pumila’ is the “instant upgrade” plant: it adds movement, height, and a soft, glowing plume display from late summer into fall—often holding interest into winter.
Dense, Mounded Clumps with Showy Plumes Above
Dwarf Pampas Grass tops out at 4–6 feet tall with a manageable footprint (about 4 feet wide), forming dense, mounded clumps of narrow, arching leaves. It reads clean and intentional in a design—especially when repeated in a rhythm along a drive, fence, or sunny border.
Those plume stalks rise above the foliage in late summer and keep going through the cooler months. Bonus: the plumes can be cut for fresh or dried arrangements, which turns one landscape purchase into indoor décor as well.
Sun, Drainage, and “Water to Establish, Then Relax”
For best performance, plant in full sun to part sun with well-drained soil. This is a heat-loving grass that’s built for sunny exposures. Dwarf Pampas Grass becomes very drought-tolerant once established. Water consistently during the first growing season so roots develop deeply—then shift to occasional watering during prolonged drought.
Privacy Texture, Coastal Toughness, and Four-Season Structure
Use Dwarf Pampas Grass as a specimen, in mass plantings, or as a softer, more natural privacy screen. It’s also a strong candidate for coastal gardens, thanks to its salt tolerance, and it holds up in hot, sunny, low-water landscapes where many flowering perennials struggle.
Design tip: pair it with evergreen shrubs for year-round structure, then layer in late-season bloomers (asters, sedum, goldenrod) for a fall crescendo. The result feels intentional, modern, and low-maintenance—exactly what most buyers want when they’re investing in “statement plants.”
| Hardiness Zone: | 7-10 |
|---|---|
| Mature Height: | 4 to 6 Feet |
| Mature Width: | 4 Feet |
| Sunlight: | Full sun to part sun |
| Water Requirements: | Average to low once established; drought tolerant |
| Soil | Well-drained soil |
| Bloom Time / Color | Late summer into fall/winter; creamy-white plumes |
| Resistance | Deer resistant; salt tolerant |
| Landscape Uses | Specimen, mass planting, privacy screen, borders, coastal gardens |
How to Care for Dwarf Pampas Grass (Cortaderia selloana ‘Pumila’)
Be sure to read our planting instructions to ensure a healthy and happy Dwarf Pampas Grass Plant for years to come!
How should I plant Dwarf Pampas Grass?
Start with a sunny site and well-drained soil. Dig a hole twice as wide and as deep as the root ball, loosen surrounding soil, and set the plant so the top of the root ball sits level with the soil surface. Backfill, firm gently, and water deeply to settle the root zone. For best performance, plant in spring or early fall when roots can establish without extreme stress. Mulch lightly around the base to reduce weeds and moderate moisture—just keep mulch off the crown. If you’re planting multiples, follow spacing guidance for airflow and mature width.
How often should I water Dwarf Pampas Grass after planting?
During the first growing season, water deeply once or twice per week (adjusting for rain and heat) to keep the root zone consistently moist—not soggy. Deep watering encourages deep roots, which is what makes this grass so resilient later. After establishment, Dwarf Pampas Grass is known for drought tolerance and generally needs watering only during prolonged dry spells or extreme heat. If you’re growing it in a container, check moisture more often—pots dry out faster than in-ground plantings
When should I fertilize Dwarf Pampas Grass?
Feed in early spring as new growth begins, using a balanced, slow-release fertilizer. Apply around the base, avoiding direct contact with foliage, and water thoroughly so that nutrients reach the roots. If you prefer a lower-input approach, top-dress with compost in spring and let soil biology do the work. Overfertilizing can promote excessive leaf growth at the expense of plume production, so keep feeding steadily and moderately.
When and how should I prune Dwarf Pampas Grass?
The best time to prune is late winter or early spring, before new growth starts. Cut the plant back to about 12–18 inches, removing old foliage and spent plumes so fresh growth can emerge cleanly. Wear gloves and long sleeves—pampas leaves can be sharp. Through the season, you can also remove damaged blades for a tidier look, but avoid heavy cutting during active growth if you want strong plume production later in the year.
