Can You Put Miscanthus Morning Light Grasses in Containers?

You can put certain grasses in containers when you provide the proper care. Clump-forming, fine-bladed Miscanthus "Morning Light" (Miscanthus sinensis) in pots is versatile, softening hardscapes and framing passageways. As a potted ornamental grass, this Miscanthus species offers many desirable qualities. Named for the illuminating effect on this plant when the sun is low on the horizon, Miscanthus "Morning Light" is perennial in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 9.

Growing to a height of 4 to 6 feet when planted in the ground, Miscanthus "Morning Light" generally grows only 3 feet tall when container grown, according to the National Gardening Association. Fine blades, each outlined in a thin stripe of white, stand erect when "Morning Light" is planted in full sun, but may tend to flop in partial shade. Coppery red tassels bloom above the foliage in August through February and provide winter interest when left uncut. The inflorescence turn silvery white with age.

Large plants, such as Miscanthus "Morning Light," require big pots. Half-whiskey barrels or comparably sized pots provide sufficient growing space for the tightly clumped rhizomatous roots of this grass species. Concrete or other sturdy containers are recommended, as the pressure of the expanding roots can damage more fragile pots. Divide and repot this grass every two to three years to control size.

Grow "Morning Light" in a potting mix with a soil pH between 5 and 7, designed for large containers. The National Gardening Association recommends using two parts Metromix 510 potting mix and one part washed and screened 20-grit sand or equal amounts of a peat-based inorganic mix and 20-grit sand. For perennials, Fine Gardening recommends a long-lasting mix composed of equal parts of peat moss, composted bark, compost, sand and perlite.

Good drainage is important for Miscanthus "Morning Light." Although it is drought tolerant, this cultivar requires regular watering during the growing season, and performs best in moist, fertile soil. Cut back to 6 inches tall before new growth begins in spring. Cold temperatures damage the roots of susceptible container-grown plants. Potted "Morning Light" requires no special protection in USDA zones 8 and 9.

Miscanthus species -- commonly named eulalia, Chinese silvergrass and zebra grass -- self-sow and have the potential to become invasive. The USDA lists Connecticut as the only state that categorizes eulalia as a potentially invasive, non-banned, plant species. As a cultivar, "Morning Light" does not always set seed. However, removing flowering plumes prevents any possibility of self-seeding into the landscape, if this is a concern for you.