All About Pink Pampas Grass (Cortaderia selloana ‘Rosea’)

Pink Pampas Grass is a variety of Pampas Grass that has pink or pinkish-white fluffy plumes. It is a popular ornamental grass and is often used in landscaping and floral arrangements. Pink Pampas Grass is typically drought-tolerant and low maintenance, making it an ideal choice for gardens and landscapes. It can grow up to 10 feet tall and requires full sun and well-draining soil. Pink pampas grasses are distinct from the more common variety in a few ways. You can learn all about pink pampas grass in this article.

Pink Pampas Grass Cortaderia Selloana

Pampas grass has the botanical name Cortaderia selloana. The pink variety is known as Cortaderia selloana ‘Rosea.’ It is part of a species of flowering plants that are native to South America. It is a smaller plant compared to the more common off-white variety. The full plant can grow to a height of 6 feet and a spread of up to 3 feet. This is in comparison to the taller plant that can grow to a height of 6 feet to 10 feet and a spread of 3 – 6 feet. It is also a more delicate plant than the larger specimens. It is also less hardy and can grow in different USDA zones.

This variety produces large blooms, and the foliage is a deep green color. It is also deer-resistant. The leaves are sharp and tough, so you may need o use gloves when handling them.

Common Name	Pink Pampas Grass
Scientific Name	Cortaderia selloana ‘Rosea’
Height & Spread	6-10 ft tall and 3-6 ft wide
Sun Exposure	Full sun to partial shade
USDA Growing Zones	Zones 7-10
Water	Moderate watering
Soil Type	Well-drained soil
Soil pH	6.0-7.5
Pests & Diseases	Susceptible to rust and fungal diseases
Bloom Time	Late summer to early fall
Flower Color	Pink
Native Area	South America

Uses of Pink Pampas Grass

As ornamental grass, Cortaderia selloana ‘Rosea’ can be found in the wild or grown commercially. The pink plumes can be cut and used straight from the plant. Another option is to use pink pampas grass dried. These pampas grass cuts are added to fresh or dry floral arrangements for decoration purposes.

The pink pampas grass plant can be grown to beautify a landscape. It makes an excellent privacy screen because of how tall it can become when it has grown in full. It’s worth noting that the height isn’t as high as the white plume variety. You may find it grown in a cluster in the middle of a lawn or by a pool area.

Growing Information

If you are interested in cultivating pink pampas grass, and you are from a region where you have permission to do this, there are a few considerations you have to make. There are two options to grow this plant. The first option is to start from the seeds. This method takes a lot more time than the other, which is to propagate new plants from the clumps of existing clusters.

Pink Pampas Grass Zone

Pink pampas grass grows best in USDA Zone 8 and USDA Zone 9. There has been some zone creep with other varieties with some varieties being grown in Zones 7, 6, and even 5. If you are in hardiness Zone 7 or lower and decide to give this plant a chance, you should note that this grass does not do as well in places with very cold or moderate winter temperatures because it likes full sun. Due to this, it does not make a good indoor plant unless you are planning to do this in the winter-time.

You can read more about the topic in my new article: Pampas Grass Zone Insights and More

Optimal Growing Conditions

All in all, pink pampas grass is easy to grow. It is an excellent pick if you need something low maintenance to beautify your garden. There is very little that you have to do to make the growth rate fast. You may choose to add some fertilizer when you propagate or prune the clusters, but this is entirely optional. As a wild variety, these grasses are very resilient and disease-resistant.

This variety grows best in a place with full sun exposure. It can grow in a range of soil types, including normal, sandy, or clay soils. As far a soil pH, it is not very picky and can grow well in acidic, neutral, or alkaline soils. It needs well-drained soil.

The proper planting time for this variety depends on what your starting point is and whether you are in Zones 7, 8, 9, or a different zone. You can get more information on that from your supplier to make sure you do the planting at the right time of the year.

The blooming time is late summer, fall, that is in early fall, mid-fall, or even late fall. You can prune the plant does in late winter or the spring-time. It’s a good idea to do this pruning every spring so that when the summer comes around the next year, the product is healthier and more beautiful blooms.

This species is perennial, which means that the same cluster can grow year-round and continue to bloom every year. Cortaderia selloana ‘Rosea ‘ is very fast-growing and can reach full maturity in 3 years because it is a sizeable plant.

Why Is Pampas Grass Bad?

Despite all the uses of this ornamental grass, it comes with a word of caution. Pink pampas grass cortaderia selloana can grow very fast. It produces many seeds. Like other plants in the grasses family, these seeds are dispersed by the wind. With one plant producing millions of seeds in the course of its lifetime, there is a huge risk that it may take over an entire area.

Pink pampas grass is therefore invasive. Without proper controls and a way of preventing the seeds from being dispersed and germinating in new areas, the natural ecosystem can be affected. These grasses grow in clumps and form a large and spread-out plant. It can choke out other plants that already grow in the same area and eventually take over a garden. This is a threat to the vegetation and animals growing and living there, and to the biodiversity of the area, as a result.

Due to its invasive potential, pampas grass is illegal in a few places around the world. In other regions, it is classified as a weed. There are also ways to prevent the mass production of seeds in places where it is allowed. There are dwarf varieties that are sterile and do not produce sterile. People can also use products such as herbicides to kill off excessive shoots before they become too large. There is a lot of information available about how to prevent the spread and contain the grasses if you decide to add them to your property for decorative purposes.

How to Remove Pink Pampas Grass?

Here are the steps to remove pink pampas grass:

1. Prepare: Wear protective clothing, gloves, and safety goggles. Pampas grass can be sharp, and the dust can irritate the skin, eyes, and lungs.
2. Cut back the foliage: Using a sharp saw or pruning shears, cut the foliage back to a height of 2-3 feet. This will make it easier to access the root system.
3. Dig up the roots: Use a shovel or spade to dig around the base of the plant. Pink pampas grass has a deep and extensive root system, so you will need to dig down at least 2-3 feet.
4. Remove the root system: Once you have exposed the roots, use a pair of loppers or a pruning saw to cut the roots as close to the base of the plant as possible. If you encounter any large roots that are difficult to cut, you may need to use a root saw or axe.
5. Dispose of the plant: Pampas grass can be composted if it is allowed to dry out first. However, due to its invasive nature, it is best to dispose of the plant in the trash or by burning it.
6. Monitor the area: Keep an eye on the area where the pink pampas grass was removed. If any new growth appears, immediately remove it to prevent the plant from regenerating.

Remember that pink pampas grass is an invasive species, and removing it can be a challenging and time-consuming task. If you are not comfortable removing the plant yourself, consider hiring a professional.

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The bottom line

The bottom line is the ornamental grasses like pink pampas grass have many good uses. You can cultivate them in your own garden from seeds or clusters, and there are many products available online or from a nursery near you. The full plant can be the highlight of your garden. You can also use the dried product in your floral arrangements.