Grasses
Cortaderia selloana 'Pumila'
Dwarf pampas grass
Creamy-white, silky plumes rise above an arching clump of green leaves from late summer into fall. Smaller than the species but still a substantial specimen, it needs full sun and well-drained soil. The leaf edges are sharp, so wear gloves during cleanup. Winter survival can be unreliable in colder local gardens.
At a glance
- Sun
- Full sun
- Mature size
- About 4–6 ft. in flower tall × About 3–4 ft. wide
- Water
- Average; water to establish
- Hardiness
- Listed for USDA 6–10; winter survival is unreliable in some zone-6 gardens
- Bloom
- Late summer to fall.
Sizes & prices
- Size not listedCall for price
- #2Call for price
Catalog updated September 8, 2026. This is not a live stock count; please call to confirm availability and price.
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Resistance & tolerances
- Drought
- Tolerant once established.
- Wet soil
- Needs drainage; avoid soggy crowns.
Seasonal interest
- Habit
- Dense, arching clump.
Growing & care
- Soil
- Fertile, well-drained soil.
- Pruning
- Comb out dead leaves and cut old flower stems in late winter or early spring.
- Winter
- Protect young crowns. Missouri Botanical Garden reports this cultivar generally fails outdoors in St. Louis's zone 6; a large movable container allows frost-free overwintering where winters are too severe.
Sources & photo credits
Photo: Alex Hauner · CC BY-SA 4.0
Reviewed October 1, 2026. Growing conditions vary by location.