Porcupine Grass — Miscanthus sinensis 'Strictus'

BEST VALUE: Premium 3 Gallon — Landscape Ready
This is a finished, nursery-grown specimen — the same grade professional landscapers trust. Bigger root system, faster establishment, and real results from day one. You are not buying a seedling. You are buying a head start.

BUDGET-FRIENDLY STARTER: Premium Quart
Same genetics, same nursery-grown quality — just a smaller starting size. A great entry point if you want to grow your own landscape over time.

FILL MY BOX & SAVE — Tiered Savings on Porcupine Grass
1 Plant = Original Price
Buy 2 Porcupine Grass = Save 15%
Buy 4 Porcupine Grass = Save 25%
Buy 6 Porcupine Grass = Save 30%
Savings apply automatically at checkout.

Why Porcupine Grass Is Trending

One of the most visually distinctive ornamental grasses available — no other plant delivers that bold horizontal banding pattern
Massive presence: reaches 6–8 feet tall with a strong, upright column-like habit that commands attention in any landscape
Four-season performer — green and gold in summer, bronze plumes in fall, striking structure through winter
Deer resistant, drought tolerant, and adaptable to a wide range of soils — Zones 4–10
Fast-growing and low-maintenance — one cut in late winter is all it needs

What This Plant Does For You

Imagine a plant that stops people in their tracks. Porcupine Grass does exactly that. Its deep green blades are striped with creamy yellow horizontal bands — a pattern so unique that visitors always ask what it is. By late summer, cream-colored seed heads rise high above the foliage and open into sweeping bronze plumes that catch every breeze. Come fall, the entire plant shifts to rich orange with glowing bands, and through winter it holds its upright structure like a piece of living sculpture. Whether you use it as a privacy screen, a focal point, or a bold border anchor, Porcupine Grass delivers drama and elegance with almost no effort on your part.

Creates an instant focal point with its one-of-a-kind banded foliage
Provides natural privacy screening at 6–8 feet tall without the maintenance of a hedge
Delivers four full seasons of visual interest — no replanting, no gaps
Thrives in full sun with minimal water once established
Deer resistant and pest resistant — holds its own without intervention
Pet friendly and safe for family landscapes

Plant Highlights

Botanical Name: Miscanthus sinensis 'Strictus'
Mature Size: 6–8 ft tall, 3–4 ft wide
Growth Rate: Fast
Foliage: Deep green with creamy yellow horizontal bands; turns orange with creamy bands in fall
Bloom/Plume: Cream-colored tassels maturing to bronze plumes, late summer through fall
Hardiness Zones: 4–10
Light: Full sun
Water: Occasional; drought tolerant once established
Soil: Widely adaptable
Deer Resistant: Yes
Pet Friendly: Yes
Type: Perennial
Pruning: Cut to 3 inches above ground in late winter or early spring

Add Porcupine Grass to Your Cart Now — Limited Quantities Available

Premium Features & Solutions

Porcupine Grass solves real landscaping problems. Need a fast-growing privacy screen that looks intentional and designed? This is it. Have a hot, sunny area where nothing else wants to perform? Porcupine Grass thrives there. Want a specimen plant that creates a conversation every time someone sees your yard? Nothing else delivers that banded pattern. Its strong, upright habit means it stays tidy and architectural without staking or constant editing.

Choose Your Size: The 3 Gallon is our landscape-ready option — a well-rooted, nursery-grown plant that establishes quickly and makes an immediate impact. The 2 Gallon offers excellent value for gardeners who want a strong start at a lower price point. The Quart is the same genetics at the most accessible entry price, ideal for planting in multiples or for gardeners who enjoy growing plants up over time.

Smart Growing Guide

Beginner Guide — Step-by-Step

Choose a full-sun location with room to grow — this grass reaches 6–8 feet tall, so give it space to show off. Allow at least 3–4 feet from other plants or structures.
Dig a hole the same depth as the container and twice as wide. Loosen the surrounding soil to help roots spread.
Remove the plant from its container, gently loosen any circling roots, and set it so the top of the root ball is level with the ground.
Backfill with native soil. No special amendments needed — Porcupine Grass is widely adaptable.
Water deeply at planting, then once or twice a week for the first growing season. Once established, occasional watering is all it needs.
Mulch 2–3 inches around the base (keep mulch away from the crown) to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
In late winter or early spring, cut the entire plant back to about 3 inches above the ground before new growth emerges. That is the only maintenance it requires.

Advanced Guide — Optimization Tips

For the most dramatic banding and plume display, plant in full sun. Shade reduces the intensity of the yellow bands and can cause the upright habit to loosen.
Fertilize in early spring with a slow-release balanced fertilizer (SR-18-5-10 or equivalent) to maximize growth and plant health. Avoid high-nitrogen formulas that push leafy growth at the expense of structure.
Divide clumps every 3–5 years in early spring to maintain vigor. Mature clumps can become very large and woody at the center — dividing keeps them productive and tidy.
For privacy screening, plant 3–4 feet apart in a staggered double row for a dense, layered effect that fills in within two seasons.
Leave plumes and structure standing through winter — the upright form provides architectural interest and the seed heads attract overwintering birds. Cut back in late February or early March.
Porcupine Grass is tolerant of salt spray, making it an excellent choice for coastal or roadside plantings where other ornamentals struggle.

Pro Tips for Maximum Impact

Use as a living privacy screen along a fence line or property edge — plant 3–4 feet apart and it fills in fast with zero maintenance between cuts.
Pair with bold perennials like rudbeckia, echinacea, or ornamental sedums to create a late-summer border that peaks when most gardens are winding down.
Plant as a single specimen in a lawn or garden bed as a focal point — its scale and banding pattern make it a natural anchor for any design.
Leave the bronze plumes standing through fall and winter for movement, structure, and wildlife value in the dormant landscape.
Fertilize once in early spring with slow-release fertilizer and let the plant do the rest — it is one of the lowest-maintenance large ornamentals available.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the Quart, 2 Gallon, and 3 Gallon?
All three are the same nursery-grown Porcupine Grass with identical genetics. The 3 Gallon is our landscape-ready option with the largest root system and fastest establishment. The 2 Gallon is a strong mid-size option that balances value and performance. The Quart is the most budget-friendly entry point, ideal for planting in multiples or for gardeners who enjoy growing plants up over time.

How do I save with Fill My Box?
Add 2, 4, or 6 Porcupine Grass plants to your cart and the discount applies automatically at checkout — no code needed. Buy 2 saves 15%, buy 4 saves 25%, buy 6 saves 30%.

How tall does Porcupine Grass get?
At maturity, Porcupine Grass reaches 6–8 feet tall with a spread of 3–4 feet. It has a strong, upright column-like habit that is more vertical than most maiden grasses.

What makes Porcupine Grass different from other ornamental grasses?
The horizontal yellow banding on the foliage is what sets it apart. Most variegated grasses have vertical striping — Porcupine Grass has horizontal bands, which is rare and visually striking. Combined with its upright habit and large scale, it is truly one of a kind.

Is it deer resistant?
Yes. Porcupine Grass is reliably deer resistant, making it an excellent choice for landscapes in areas with heavy deer pressure.

Is it pet friendly?
Yes. Porcupine Grass is considered pet friendly and safe for family landscapes.

When does it bloom?
Cream-colored seed heads emerge in late summer and open into bronze plumes in fall. The plumes persist through winter, providing months of visual interest and movement.

What hardiness zones does it grow in?
Zones 4–10, one of the widest hardiness ranges of any ornamental grass. It performs across the vast majority of the continental United States.

How much sun does it need?
Full sun — at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Full sun produces the most vivid banding, the strongest upright habit, and the best plume display.

Is it drought tolerant?
Yes, once established. Water regularly during the first growing season to help it get established. After that, it handles dry conditions well with only occasional supplemental irrigation.

Can I use it as a privacy screen?
Absolutely. At 6–8 feet tall with a dense, upright habit, Porcupine Grass is one of the best ornamental grasses for natural privacy screening. Plant 3–4 feet apart for a full, seamless screen within two seasons.

Do you ship live plants?
Yes. We ship carefully packaged live plants direct from our nursery. See the Ordering & Shipping section below for details.

Take Action Now — Add to Cart Before Stock Runs Out
Our nursery-grown Porcupine Grass is available in limited quantities across all sizes. Once stock is gone, you wait until next season. Do not miss your planting window — add to cart now and get your plants in the ground this season.

Add Porcupine Grass to Your Cart Now

Ordering & Shipping

We ship live plants direct from our nursery, carefully packaged to arrive healthy and ready to plant. Orders typically process within 1–3 business days. Orders placed after 4:00 PM Wednesday through Sunday ship the following Monday. We ship Monday through Wednesday to avoid weekend delays in transit. You will receive a tracking number by email when your order ships.

Cold and heat may temporarily delay your order until conditions are safe for shipping and planting. We hold orders at our discretion to ensure you receive the healthiest viable plant possible. Summer restriction: above 95 degrees. Winter restriction: below 34 degrees.

Note: The images and videos on our site are the best way to show off our products and show how good we are as growers. Depending on the season you buy, you may get a plant that is smaller or bigger than the picture shows. The plant might bloom like it does on our site, but it might not. We cut off the blooms most of the time because they don't ship well. When you buy our plants, think of them as an investment in your future garden, and enjoy the process of seeing it grow to its fullest.