Which ornamental grasses spread quickly by seed?

Ornamental grass that spreads quickly—pendulous sedge (Carex pendula)

Free plants: who wouldn’t want that? Isn’t it wonderful when plants propagate on their own, without you having to lift a finger? Well, in a smaller garden, that can actually be quite a nuisance! Before you know it, self-seeding is taking over your favorite plants… So it’s helpful to know in advance which ornamental grasses self-seed.

Below is a list of ornamental grasses that self-seed easily. However, this is generally true only when conditions are right. In other words, these grasses may behave differently in your garden and on your soil.

Well-known ornamental grasses that self-seed:

Briza maxima (large quaking grass)

Carex comans ‘Bronze Form’ (narrow-leaved sedge)

Carex pendula (hanging sedge)

Leymus arenarius (sand oat)

Luzula nivea (field sedge)

Melica cilliata (ciliated pearl grass)

Melica uniflora (single-flowered pearl grass)

Molinia caerulea arundinacea ‘Transparent’ (purple moor grass)

Stipa tennuissima (feather grass)

Keeping Ornamental Grasses Under Control

Seeding ornamental grasses is a way for them to survive, since many of these ornamental grasses are relatively short-lived plants. This allows them to remain in the garden, even though the parent plant is no longer there. However, under certain circumstances, seeding can happen very quickly (too quickly). You can also cut back the flower heads. This prevents the seeds from spreading and germinating. Of course, you’ll miss out on the often beautiful blooms.

Do you have (or would you like to have) any ornamental grasses in your garden that self-seed? We’d love to hear from you—let us know in the comments below. Is your ornamental grass not yet on the list, but does it self-seed profusely? Let us know, and we’ll be happy to add it to the list.

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