The pink pampas grass, which is a pink or purplish variant of the common pampas grass, can add an attractive pink colour to your yard. The pink pampas grass grows at about 8 feet high and has long blades that are striped pink or purple. They should be planted in full sun for optimum results because they need very little water when established but do require regular fertilization to keep the leaves green and lush.
First and foremost, to grow this beauty, ensure you have a large yard with plenty of room as they can grow up to 15 feet tall. Unlike the common pampas grass, pink pampas are not wind-resistant and can be easily blown over without a strong root system to anchor them in place. Pink pampas grass plant for sale can range anywhere from $9 – $25, while artificial home decor versions can go up for higer.
For this reason, they are best grown as single specimens rather than an area-covering plant which will require regular trimming to keep within desired boundaries.
What is a Pink Pampas Grass?
A pink pampas grass is a large, evergreen tree that grows in moist ground. The pink colour of the leaves develops as it matures and can turn yellow or orange when cold weather hits. Its colour comes from calcium oxalate crystals, and it can vary in intensity based on environmental conditions.
It grows pinkish flowers that are on the stems. Pink pampas grass stands out against other plantings because of its pink flowers which appear at the end of winter.
Pink pampas grasses are known for their pinkish-purple foliage, but some varieties also have a bluish tint to the leaves as well. Pink flower pampas grass range from white with light pink tips to deep pink buds that open into bright pink blossoms. All of these colours stand out beautifully against dark green foliage.
Pink pampas grasses are available in three varieties of pink colour, which include pink pygmy, pink giant and pink plume. They also come in blue as well so there is a variety for everyone’s preference when it comes to the colouring of this plant.
Origins of Pink Pampas Grass
Origin of pink pampas grass: There are a few different origin stories for pink pampas grass. One says that pink pampas were introduced to Florida in 1881 by Thomas Edison’s gardener from the Netherlands. It is unclear whether this story is true or not, as there were other introductions of pink pampas into Florida at the time, and pink pampas grass most likely came from Argentina.
Another story is that pink pampas were introduced to Florida in 1887 by a gardener named Powell who had added pink-coloured dye into his soil mix for some other plant before realizing he needed to have more pink plants on display for visitors of an upcoming exposition.
Pink Pampas Grass Plant Care Guide
Pink Pampas Grass can be planted as either single plants or mounds of several together for more dramatic effect. The pink flowers bloom from May to October. Read on for the full guide in caring for this tall beauty.
Soil
The pink pampas grass plant prefers rich and moist soil that drains well. They will tolerate clay, loamy or sandy soil. Pink pampas grass plants prefer soils that are slightly alkaline with a pH level of 6-7. Amend the soil with compost or organic fertiliser before planting to give them a boost.
Lighting
Pampas grass may not require much light, but it does need a bit. It thrives in shady areas and while the full sun can be tolerated for short periods of time, pink pampas grass prefers to grow in the shade. If you have an area that is very shaded during most of the day, pink pampas grass may be a great option.
For the most ideal pink pampas grass care scenario, look for an area that receives morning sun but is shaded by trees during the day; this will create the perfect pink pampas grass environment.
Watering
Watering pink pampas grass is crucial for the plant to stay alive! The leaves will dry out and fall off if they are not watered often enough. It should be a regular practice of watering pink pampas grass in order to prevent this from happening, but it can also be done by soaking up with water or using a spray bottle! If pink pampas grass is not watered regularly, the leaves will turn brown and die.
The best way to water pink pampas grass is by soaking it up with water. Spraying pink pampas grass can be done if it does not rain often or other methods are unavailable. It is important to test the pink pampas grass’s soil before watering. Heads up, the pink pampas’ leaves will turn brown if it is not watered often enough
Temperature
A pink pampas grass plant is typically a cold-tolerant variety. However, it does not like extremely hot temperatures and will do best in zones nine to twelve of the USDA Hardiness Zone map.
This means that even though pink pampas grass plants are considered drought resistant they still need some water during dry periods or when they are in direct sun. For pink pampas grass to grow, it needs to be in a warm temperature.
Humidity
Humidity is important for pink pampas grass, but it needs to be monitored. If the humidity goes above 60% then you should increase ventilation or risk damaging your plant. If you see pink pampas grass browning at the base, then it is likely because of too much humidity.
Humidity is a continual concern for pink pampas grass as it has to stay moist, but not too wet. Keeping the humidity at around 50% is ideal for pink pampas grass. Pink pampas grass should be placed in a bright area with sunlight, so it can get at least some sun exposure.
Fertiliser
Pampas grass can be grown in a wide range of soil types and tolerates drought well. However, it is best to fertilise pink pampas grass every three months with an all-around feed such as seaweed extract or compost tea. This will help pink pampas grow faster and have a healthy green colouring throughout the year.
If pink pampas grass is planted in pots, fertilise them every three months as well with a feed such as seaweed extract or compost tea to keep the plant healthy and growing at its strongest.
Toxicity
Many pink pampas leaves of grass are toxic to animals, humans and the environment. Pink pampas that have been planted in areas with heavy traffic or where pets live should be cut back at least every other year if not more often depending on how quickly it grows. This will keep the pinkish foliage away from high-traffic areas, which can stain carpets and clothing.
Foliage
The pink pampas grass is a clumping perennial that can grow to be 12 feet tall. It has long, feathery plumes of pinkish-red foliage on erect stems with narrower leaves at the base.
Pruning
Pruning pink pampas grass is not needed except for maintenance or to remove dead leaves. Pink Paspalum, like other ornamental varieties of turfgrass, does a lot better if you do not cut it back too short in the wintertime and can suffer from brown patches if exposed to cold temperatures after being cut back.
The pink pampas grass can be trimmed by running a lawnmower over it and cutting the blades to about one inch if desired. You may also use hand tools such as hedge shears or loppers to trim around flower beds or other features in your yard without damaging them.
Propagation and Growth
Pink pampas grass plant propagation can be done from seeds sown in the spring, cuttings taken during periods when new growth is visible, or by dividing plants.
Place pink pampas grass seedlings outside after all danger of frost has passed for transplanting outdoors. They can either remain in a container with moist soil and sand until they’re planted or directly into the ground in a prepared bed, with pink pampas grass seedlings spaced three feet apart.
The growth rate of pink pampas grass plants is twelve to eighteen inches a year.
Plant Diseases
The most common diseases that afflict pink pampas grass are rust fungus, leaf spot disease, root rot and nematodes. Pink pampas grass can be susceptible to pink frost, a fungal disease that attacks the leaf blades.
Another common problem with pink pampas grass is slugs and snails which will chew on it. Using slug bait or sprinkling diatomaceous earth near your pink pampas grass are both good ways to combat slugs.
Nematodes are a type of worm that lives in the soil and pink pampas grass can become infected with them. The nematode will enter via the roots, feeding on plant tissue and causing damage to pink pampas grass leaves by sucking out their nutrients.
Root rot is another fungal disease pink pampas grass can be susceptible to which is caused by the fungus Rhizoctonia. These fungi cause pinkish-brown spots on pink pampas grass leaves and make them brittle as they dry out and die from lack of water, nutrients or sunlight.
To combat root rot, it’s best to take action before it gets too severe and is difficult to treat. If pink pampas grass doesn’t seem to be growing or developing normally, you should take a sample of the soil for testing in order to determine what could be wrong with pink pampas grass.
It’s common for pink pampas grass plants that are not receiving enough water to have a pinkish-brown discolouration on their leaves.
Common Issues with Pink Pampas Grass
Pink pampas grass can be difficult to grow in certain areas. Some people find pink pampas grass is more delicate than other varieties of grass and require a lot of attention, which may not always fit into their schedule.
The pink variety does best in warm climates with the occasional rainfall or humidity. They do poorly when they are in freezing climates or too dry of an area. Pink pampas grass requires more fertilizer than other types and should be watered regularly to grow pink colouration.
The pink variety can lose its pink colour if the weather is not warm enough for long periods of time, causing it to turn brown and yellow instead.
Tips for Keeping Pink Pampas Grass Happy
Pink Pampas Grass is an attractive pink flowering grass with soft, pink-tinted blades of foliage that will grow up to ten feet high and has pink flowers in the late fall or winter time. This plant does best when it receives six hours of sunlight per day. It is a clumping pink pampas grass and prefers moist but well-drained soil that contains plenty of organic matter such as compost or rotted leaves.
Pink Pampas Grass should not stay in the same place for more than two years because when it becomes root-bound (where plants become cramped and cannot grow), pink pampas grass can lose its lower leaves or have stunted growth. The plant will also have yellowish foliage.
To avoid root-bound pink pampas grass, do not plant where the pink pampas have grown before for more than two years to allow it to grow into a healthy specimen. If you want pink pampas in another part of your property, move it there and give the current location time to recover before planting pink pampas grass there.
Pink Pampas Grass Frequently Asked Questions
Is pink Pampas grass a perennial?
Yes, pink pampas grass is a perennial plant, so it will come back year after year. However, this plant can be grown as an annual if you prefer to only have pink plants for the short term and replace them when they die off. For maximum colour saturation in your garden or home decorating scheme, planting pink pampas grass in clusters is key!
Why is pampas grass bad?
Pampas grass is considered by many to be invasive, and therefore the plant does not fare well in suburban landscapes. It has no natural predators aside from fire, which means it will take over an area if left unchecked.
The pink variety of pampas grass can grow up to fifteen feet tall and will need constant pruning as it matures. Pampas grass is difficult to eradicate because just one seed can grow into a new plant, and the pink variety has pink flowers that produce more seeds.
It’s considered an invasive species in many states of America, including California, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and North Carolina.
Is pink pampas grass really pink?
Yes! Pink pampas grass is pink. If you’re looking for a colourful plant to brighten up your home’s decor or landscaping, pink pampas grass might be the perfect addition to make an otherwise ordinary room really pop.
Blooming pink pampas grass can be spectacular, and the colour of its flowers will depend on what type you have. The pink pampas grass commonly sold at nurseries as pink-flowered often has red or maroon coloured petals with a pink to purple throat, which makes them very attractive for gardeners. Other pink pampas grass varieties have pink flowers with a white centre, and some can be solid pink in colouration.
How fast does pink pampas grass grow?
Pink pampas grass can grow from eight to ten inches each week with proper care.
Is pink pampas grass invasive?
Pink pampas grass is considered to be invasive and can grow inside yards, on hillsides and in agricultural fields. It needs a high amount of water so it’s often found near rivers or other bodies of water where there is an abundant supply of running water.
Is Rainbow pampas grass real?
Pink pampas grass can be pink, white or a mix of pink and white. The term ‘rainbow’ is often used to describe pink pampa grass because it resembles the colours in a rainbow.
Rainbow pink pampas grass has gained popularity among gardeners who want that colourful look without actually planting numerous flowers.
Conclusion
The pink pampas grass is an ornamental plant that can grow up to 8 feet tall and 4-6 inches wide. It makes for a perfect ground cover with its spreading, dense form but it also looks great in pots or containers on your deck or patio. As the most popular variety of this type of grass, there are many varieties available so you’re bound to find one that will fit your needs perfectly.
If you have any questions about how to care for this lovely plant, we hope our blog post has answered them! Find the pink pampas grass for sale via Amazon for just $9.
For more information on other types of plants, be sure to check out these posts below:
