A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The Plants and Flowers Forum Ornamental Grasses Pampas Grass

I have some Pampas grass that looks like it is dead, all brown. Since this is just September, what is the problem? Are they dead?

Welcome Terrie. I don't have enough info to answer this. How old is the grass? Has it gotten watered this summer? When you tug on it does it come up easily? Is there any green deep down into the center? Are there any critters like gophers under or around it?

Tina,

It has had plenty of water this year. It is on the other side of our lake with a dozen more. There are just a couple that look like they are dead, all brown. I haven't checked the center yet to see if there is anything left that is green. All the others seem fine! They are at least 8 years old and never been divided. I didn't know I should divide them until till now. I have always just cut them back in the fall. There are no critters around them either. I will check the center and see if there is anything green still there. Otherwise, have you got anything else I should do for them?

I just don't know what to tell you still. It sounds like you are treating them well and properly. I don't always know why some of my plants die either. But I have lost plenty.

Thanks for your response. I'll let you know what I find when I go back out to see what is still in the middle of the mound of what looks like dead Pampas Grass.

Your Pampas grass may be too old. They need to be divided every 3 - 4 years if you have any greenery on the bad clumps dig up the whole thing cut out the green sprouts with their root systems and plant back in the same spot. Discard all the dead parts.

Another reason could be over water. Is your pampas grass growing in water logged conditions? If so, then the roots have rotten off due to this leaves do turn brown and have a creamy paper texture. Leave you plant until early springtime to see if any new shoots appear.

http://www.thegardenhelper.com/divide~grass.html
http://www.thegardenhelper.com/pampas_grass.html