When planting this striking yet invasive ornamental where its not banned, be prepared to control its spread.
It’s hard to deny the beauty of a clump of Japanese bloodgrass backlit by the sun.
Forming an upright clump.
this cool-season grass does most of its growing in the spring and fall.
Beauty aside, Japanese bloodgrass is highly invasive.
Planting Restrictions
Check your state law and county regulations before purchasing or planting Japanese bloodgrass.
These rogue plants are especially invasive and should be eradicated immediately.
In a container, use it as a thriller in combination with other plants.
Choose a location with full sun.
Another consideration is the extreme flammability rating of the grass.
Do not plant it within the defensible space of your home.
Place the grass in the hole and double-check the root crown is slightly above soil level.
Backfill the hole with original soil and gently tamp it down.
Space Japanese bloodgrass 18 inches apart.
It does not require a particular soil acidity.
Watering is typically only required until the grass is established.
Because of the invasive nature, do not plant Japanese bloodgrass in areas with mild winters.
Fertilizer
Japanese bloodgrass does not require fertilization.
Adding nutrients to the soil is likely to spur undesirable vigorous growth and spreading.
In the spring, cut the dead foliage back to ground level to make room for the new growth.
Fill a container of at least 6 inches in diameter with a well-draining potting mix.
ensure the container has large drainage holes.
Unlike Japanese bloodgrass planted in the landscape, container plants need more frequent watering.
Pests and Problems
Except for its invasiveness, Japanese bloodgrass has no serious pest or disease issues.
How to Propagate Japanese Bloodgrass
Japanese bloodgrass is easy topropagate by division.
This easy-to-grow native grass stands 2 to 4 feet tall and grows in full sun or partial shade.
Many of the recent introductions bring longer displays of colors with varieties in glowing red and burgundy.
This warm-season grass blooms in mid- to late summer.
The flower heads remain attractive into autumn.
This is one of the few ornamental grasses that does well in dry shade.
Purplish-bronze flowers rise above the foliage in August followed by clusters of silvery-white seed heads.
The foliage turns shades of bronze-orange in the fall.
The leaves turn golden or orange in fall, then change to coppery brown in winter.
Flower panicles appear above the foliage on slender stems in late summer.
Updated by Nadia Hassani
“Weed Risk Assessment for Imperata cylindrica.“USDA.
“North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension.
UF/IFAS Extension Gardening Solutions.
Accessed August 5, 2024. https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/weeds-and-invasive-plants/cogongrass/.
