Planting Ornamental Grass In Containers

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(Updated August 20, 2025)

There are many reasons to plant ornamental grass in containers. I’ve always liked the look of these plants, and growing them in containers adds a visual element to my garden.

Most ornamental grasses are pretty much self-sufficient. Potted plants need to be watered deeply and less frequently. Allow the pot to dry out between waterings unless you are growing a water-loving species or marginal grass.

Every two years, remove the plant from the pot, replace the soil mix, and divide the plant. Cut the plant into two pieces. Then replant each piece separately.

Best Ornamental Grass for Containers:

Compact & Easy to Grow

• Blue Fescue (Festuca glauca) – Small mounds of icy blue tufts; great for edging or mixed containers.
• Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa macra) – Graceful, arching blades in green or golden-yellow, ideal for shady spots.
• Carex (Sedge varieties) – Many colorful options, from bronze to variegated; thrives in both sun and shade depending on variety.

Tall & Dramatic

• Fountain Grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides, dwarf types like ‘Hameln’) – Soft, bottlebrush plumes that sway in the breeze.
• Feather Reed Grass (Calamagrostis × acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’) – Upright, vertical form with feathery plumes; very architectural.
• Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum ‘Shenandoah’) – Red-tinged foliage in summer, turning deep burgundy in fall.

Colorful & Unique

• Japanese Blood Grass (Imperata cylindrica ‘Red Baron’) – Vivid red tips that intensify through the season.
• Purple Fountain Grass (Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’) – Deep burgundy foliage and fuzzy purple plumes (often grown as an annual in cooler zones).
• Variegated Sweet Flag (Acorus gramineus ‘Ogon’) – Striking golden-striped foliage that brightens up shaded containers.

Dwarf Options for Small Pots

• Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium ‘Carousel’) – Compact, upright tufts that glow with blue-green, turning copper-orange in fall.
• Dwarf Miscanthus (Miscanthus sinensis ‘Little Zebra’ or ‘Yaku Jima’) – Variegated or banded foliage with a smaller stature than full-sized miscanthus.

You can leave dried ornamental grasses until early spring as cover for wildlife if you wish. Then cut them back to a couple of inches from the crown in early spring. Brand new blades should grow and fill in the plant as spring progresses.

My Galvanized Container Ornamental Grass Project:

Ornamental grass is beautiful in a small space garden in galvanized containers. In the photo below, I planted pineapple sage with ornamental grass.

I found this galvanized tub at the antique mall for $9. Galvanized tubs make great planters for ornamental grasses because they’re usually larger than regular pots, giving the grasses adequate room to grow.

There are a variety of ornamental grasses in the above container. If I had to estimate the cost of this project, I would say about $25 total. This includes the individual pots of various ornamental grasses from Lowe’s, the potting soil, plus the cost of the galvanized tub.

I hammered holes in the bottom of the container for drainage. If you have a drill for this, it makes it easier. But I didn’t. So I relied on a hammer and a nail to create holes for proper drainage.

When planting, I tend to place the tallest of the ornamental grasses in the back of the container. Then I stagger smaller ornamental grass plants in front.

Purple fountain grass creates a gorgeous backdrop to the plants in front.

Ornamental Grass Maintenance Needs:

Ornamental grass thrives in an area that gets at least 5-6 hours of sunlight daily.

If you’re planting yours in a container, make sure it is deep enough for the plant to spread and support the root system. Make sure that the bottom of the container has adequate drainage.

An excellent medium for ornamental grass is one part compost, one part topsoil, and one part perlite.

As a general rule, water your ornamental grass container when the top two inches of soil are dry. Fertilize annually in spring with a slow-release fertilizer.

Lovely Reasons to Grow Ornamental Grass in Containers:

1. Year-round texture and movement
Ornamental grasses sway beautifully in the breeze and add texture that many flowering plants can’t match. In containers, they bring that softness right up close to your porch, balcony, or patio.

2. Low maintenance and hardy
Most ornamental grasses are drought-tolerant and require little fuss. In containers, they’re easy to water when needed and don’t demand constant attention.

3. Vertical interest in small spaces
If you don’t have room for tall shrubs, grasses provide height and structure in a compact footprint—perfect for city balconies or small gardens.

4. Seasonal beauty
From fresh green shoots in spring, to airy plumes in summer, golden tones in fall, and striking silhouettes in winter, they keep changing and stay beautiful year-round.

5. Container-friendly control
Some grasses spread aggressively in the ground, but growing them in pots keeps them contained and tidy without worry of invasion.

6. Design flexibility
You can move containers around to change the look of your space, create focal points, or group them with other plants for contrast.

7. Wildlife appeal
The plumes and seeds can attract birds, while the movement draws butterflies and pollinators. Even in pots, grasses support a little ecosystem.

8. Stylish complement to flowers
Their airy texture pairs beautifully with blooms, softening bold colors and making container arrangements more dynamic.

Ornamental grasses lend a natural look and feel to your garden.

Cold Weather Care for Ornamental Grass in Containers:

Some ornamental grasses can survive winter in pots, but it depends on the grass’s hardiness and the winter conditions.

Choose grasses that fit your climate. Many tender grasses (like purple fountain grass) make fabulous summer container accents, but won’t survive freezing winters unless overwintered indoors in a frost-free location.

Perennial grasses, those that live for more than two years, are often grown in containers and can survive winter. But they may need extra protection.

While some hardier grasses can tolerate being left outdoors in containers with protection during winter, tender varieties are susceptible to frost and root damage. Bringing them indoors to a cool, but frost-free location is the best way to ensure their survival.