As Pennsylvania’s leader and chief advocate for conservation and outdoor recreation, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) will inspire citizens to:
Ornamental grasses are low-maintenance plants that add unique texture and visual interest to any landscape. Their wispy flowing foliage and upright form makes a stunning statement in gardens. However, ornamental grasses can sometimes take on a brown lifeless appearance and make you think your plant has died.
There are several reasons an ornamental grass may look dead and it’s not always cause for concern. By understanding the most common causes and implementing a few best practices, you can diagnose the issue and restore your ornamental grass to its former glory.
Top 5 Reasons Ornamental Grass Can Look Dead
1. Winter Dormancy
Many popular ornamental grass varieties are cool-season grasses that go dormant and lose their green foliage when temperatures drop in late fall. Types like maiden grass, fountain grass, and pampas grass will appear dried out and brown all winter long. This is simply their natural preservation cycle during cold weather and new shoots will emerge again in spring. As long as the base and stems are firm, your grass is just dormant, not dead.
2. Summer Dormancy
Warm-season grasses like switch and prairie drop can also look dead during hot, dry summer weather. Their foliage browns and dies back as a survival mechanism in extreme heat and drought. These grasses remain dormant until temperatures cool down and rainfall increases in early fall. Just like winter dormancy, summer dormancy is temporary and growth will resume when conditions improve.
3. Post-Bloom Dieback
Many ornamental grasses produce showy plumes or airy seed heads when they bloom. Once flowering ends, the foliage often dies back for 4-6 weeks before new leaves appear. Panicums, miscanthus, and calamagrostis commonly exhibit this natural decline after blooming or setting seed. It may look dead, but your grass is just redirecting energy.
4. Environmental Stress
Stressed growing conditions like poor drainage, compacted soil, inadequate water, excessive fertilizer, and pollution can also cause ornamental grasses to go brown and limp. If the roots are damaged or unable to absorb nutrients effectively, the grass blades will discolor or die off above ground. Alleviate stresses and the grass should bounce back.
5. Disease or Pests
Sometimes pests like spider mites, scale, or chinch bugs can infest and damage ornamental grass. Certain fungal diseases like rust fungus may also cause the foliage to yellow, wilt, or turn brown. Inspect plants routinely and address any pest or disease issues promptly to prevent lasting harm.
How to Revive Ornamental Grasses that Look Dead
If your ornamental grass takes on a dead dreary look outside of its normal dormancy schedule try these tips to rejuvenate it
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Identify and remedy environmental issues like poor drainage, compacted roots, or inadequate water.
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Apply a balanced soluble fertilizer or a thin layer of compost to provide a nutrient boost.
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Prune away any dead blades or stems to improve air circulation and light penetration.
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Divide overcrowded or dense clumps to stimulate new growth from the center.
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Treat any diseases or pests present as soon as possible.
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Be patient for new shoots to emerge once weather warms. Don’t remove it too soon.
With attentive care and fixing underlying problems, your ornamental grass should green up and regain its lush appeal.
When to Remove Dead Ornamental Grass
If you’ve cared for your ornamental grass properly and it shows no signs of new growth after winter or summer dormancy, it may be time to accept defeat. Here are signs it’s truly dead and won’t recover:
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All foliage is brittle, dry and easily snaps off
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Stems are brown and collapsed
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No new shoots after extended time
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Plant is excessively thinned out
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Roots are dark and mushy
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Severe disease or pest damage persists
How to Remove Dead Ornamental Grass
To remove an ornamental grass that cannot be revived:
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Cut the remaining foliage back to about 2 inches above the ground in early spring.
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Dig up and discard the entire root ball and surrounding soil which may harbor pests.
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Fill the hole with fresh potting mix enriched with compost.
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Consider planting a new ornamental grass better suited to the location.
Properly removing dead or dying grasses allows you to reset the area for new, healthy plants.
Tips to Prevent Ornamental Grass Death
You can avoid many common ornamental grass problems by following best care practices:
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Choose types suited for your planting zone and climate.
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Plant in well-draining soil with adequate sun.
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Water 1-2 inches per week during summer.
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Apply fertilizer according to species needs.
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Divide when centers die out every 2-4 years.
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Prune old growth in early spring to stimulate new shoots.
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Monitor for pests like spider mites, scale, or chinch bugs.
Don’t Give Up on Dormant Ornamental Grass
Before digging up your ornamental grass in defeat, remember that brown, lifeless foliage is often just temporary dormancy. Give your grass time to recover through seasonal changes and implement a maintenance regimen to alleviate stresses. With a little TLC, your ornamental grass will likely regain its handsome form and graceful movement in your landscape once again.
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Problems with Ornamental Grasses
FAQ
Will dead ornamental grass come back?
If grass is dead (truly dead, not just dormant), nothing will bring it back. If it’s dormant, all it takes is a little water to turn it green again. I highly recommend doing lawn care research, especially when it comes to the use of chemicals.
How do you rejuvenate ornamental grass?
How To Rejuvenate Ornamental Grass? Cutting perennial ornamental grasses down to within 2 inches of the soil, either in late winter or early spring, can help rejuvenate the plant. Digging them up and dividing them every few years will help, also.
How to save dying ornamental grass?
After several years, some ornamental grasses may become too large for their location or start to die out in the center. This is a sign that it’s time to divide the plant. Dividing helps control the size of the grass and rejuvenates it, as well as creating new plants for other areas of your garden.
Why is my ornamental grass still brown?
Other browning fountain grass causes may be overwatering, excess fertilizer, pot bound plants, or burning caused by searing sunlight. Most of these causes are easy to remedy and should not affect the overall health of the plant significantly.
Why is my ornamental grass dying?
Presence of pests or diseases: Pests and diseases can cause ornamental grass to die. Check for any signs of insect infestations or fungal diseases that may be affecting the plant’s health. If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to take action quickly to prevent the spread of disease or pests to other plants in your garden.
How do you know if ornamental grass is dead?
Brittle stems: Dead ornamental grass will have dry and brittle stems that snap easily when bent. If you notice that the stems are breaking off easily, it’s a sign that the plant is no longer alive. 3. No green foliage: A healthy ornamental grass will have green foliage, but a dead plant will have brown or yellow leaves that fall off easily.
How do you keep ornamental grass from dying?
Dividing the plant every two or three years can also help prevent ornamental grass from dying in the middle. If the center of the plant appears dead, you may need to dig and divide the entire plant. The best time to do this is in spring, before new growth emerges. Lastly, pruning can help revive struggling ornamental grass.
Can ornamental grass die?
As a result, failure to care for the ornamental grass may cause it to die. First and foremost, ornamental grass cannot be grown in any climate. They prefer a sunny climate with some exceptions, such as fountain grass, maiden grass, and sea oats, which can thrive in partial shade. Most ornamental grasses need well-drained soil and a sunny climate.
Does ornamental grass have a dead center?
A dead center in ornamental grass is typical when plants have been around for a while. The best way to prevent ornamental grass dying in the middle is to divide the plant every two or three years. However, if your ornamental grass center is dying, you may need to dig and divide the entire plant.
Are ornamental grasses bad for your landscape?
Ornamental grasses are a jewel in any landscape where they are planted. Apart from beautifying your environment, the grass creates a unique pattern that makes your landscape stand out. Although these grasses are low-maintenance, they also have various problems.