Morning Light Miscanthus Grass: How to Grow

Last Updated on April 10, 2024 by Real Men Sow

Morning Light Miscanthus Grass is an ornamental grass that is well-known for its low maintenance and moderate growth. It will bring life to your garden with its colorful leaves. It will thrive if you take care of it properly.

Maiden grass, a tall ornamental grass, is worth growing just for its graceful arching. It also has other attractive features, such as coppery flower heads that turn into silvery white plumes in the early fall. It is a slow grower and can only reach a height of about one foot in its first year. However, by the third year, it could reach 8 feet. You can plant it in spring or autumn, but spring is better to allow the plant to establish its roots before winter.

Season

Morning Light Miscanthus Grass is a perennial herb that dies each year to the ground. However, it can be expected to reach its peak in the spring (late), fall, and winter.

Flowers

Your Morning Light Miscanthus Grass will flower in the summer and fall from July to September (summer) and October to December (fall). Morning Light Maiden Grass flowers are beautiful red, brown/copper, and cream/tan flowers at this time of the year.

Foliage

Morning Light Miscanthus Grass leaves have beautiful variegated colors throughout most of the year. The leaves of your Miscanthus Sinensis “Morning Light” Miscanthus Sinensis “Morning Light” Miscanthus Sinensis can be expected to grow up to 6 inches in size.

How to Propagate Morning Light Miscanthus Grass

The division is the best way to grow maiden grass. This happens in the spring before any new growth emerges. To re-energize your maiden grass growth, divide it every three years. The center may start to die out, which is a sign that it is time to divide. To make space for new shoots, trim the foliage to 3 inches above the ground in late winter or early spring. This is how to divide maiden grass:

  1. A spade or pointed shovel is all you need.
  2. You can reach the roots of the plant by digging around its rhizomatous root ball. Grab the entire root ball and make a circular motion around it. You may need help depending on the size of your plant.
  3. Put a sharp edge of a shovel into the root ball and cut it in half. If possible, divide the halves in half.
  4. Each plant should be planted at least 3 to 6 feet apart. Maiden grass needs its room since clumps get large. Use water to drench.

How to Grow Morning Light Miscanthus Grass from Seed

Begin the Morning Light Miscanthus grass seeds are sown indoors in the early spring. Place one to two seeds in a tray of potting soil. The soil should not be covered with seeds. Seeds need light to germinate. The soil should be kept moist and aerated. Place the tray in a sunny area with temperatures of at least 60 degrees. It should start to sprout in two to three weeks. To survive to maturity, it needs warm soil. It is best to wait one year before transplanting it outdoors. This plant is slow to grow, so it may be better to wait. You can also transplant it outdoors after it has germinated.

General Care Guide for Morning Light Miscanthus Grass

Watering

Morning Light Maiden Grass requires very little watering. It requires regular watering and a simple watering schedule. It is therefore considered to have a relatively low water requirement. You should keep your Morning Light Maiden Grass soil moist but well-drained to ensure that it thrives.

This is why the soil needs to be able to drain well so that it stays at the right level of moisture. The ‘thumb technique’ is our favorite way to determine the correct amount of water for Morning Light Maiden Grass. Simply put, your thumb is inserted into the soil. Based on how dry or moist the soil feels, you can determine if it requires water. This is the best way to water your leafy friend.

Soil Mix

Morning Light Maiden Grass, as mentioned, prefers soil that has good drainage properties. Therefore, you will need to mix clay, loam, and chalk into the soil. Morning Light Maiden Grass needs soil with clay, loam, and sand.

Light and Exposure

Morning Light Maiden Grass needs to be exposed to light and has to have the partial sun to thrive. Ornamental grasses will thrive if they are kept in full to partial sunlight. Place them in partial to no shade (less than 2-6 hours of direct sunshine per day) and full and direct sunlight (more than 6 hours of direct sun each day).

Companion Plants of Morning Light Miscanthus Grass

Morning Light Maiden Grass can be paired with other plants. The Physocarpus is a good companion plant and will go well with your leafy friend. Some people believe that a nice Juniperus is also a good choice. So choose the one that works best for your needs.

Common Problems With Morning Light Miscanthus Grass

Morning Light Miscanthus grass is an easy-growing plant once it’s established. It takes about one year to mature, but once it does, it doesn’t require a lot of water, nutrients, or anything other than well-drained soil and plenty of sun.

Turning Brown

The tips Turning brown is a common sign that a plant is going to sleep for the winter. It signals that the time has come for the plant’s death. This is normal and to be expected. If browning occurs during the regular growing season, ensure that you don’t overwater or over-fertilize. A mature, established maiden grass doesn’t need too much.

Center of Plant Is Dying

If the center of an ornamental lawn starts to look like it is dying, it is a signal that it needs to be re-digested. You can pull it apart, cut the rhizome into quarters or halves, and make four plants. It needs to be divided every three to four years to re-grow.

Stunted Growth With Twisty Stems

Morning Light Miscanthus grass is slow to grow. Miscanthus mealybugs may be a problem if the plant seems to grow very slowly or if the stems turn yellow and twist. Mealybugs on miscanthus can be hard to find and get rid of because they hide in the stems, crowns, and roots. 

A white, powdery, and waxy substance is a sign of a bug colony. Little bug droppings can be a sign of infection. Another sign is purple spots on infected stems. You will need to use pesticides to get rid of the infestation. If you spot it early enough, you can use an insecticidal shampoo.

Real Men Sow
Real Men Sow

Hello, I’m Pete and I’m currently based in the west of Scotland, in a small place called Rosneath, where I’m exploring my garden adventures. I personally started gardening around 6 years ago and initially, I started out by growing my favorite fruits and berries, such as strawberries, Raspberries & Gooseberries. Since then I’ve added a lot of vegetables and working closely with my neighbor, it’s been a lot of fun.