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Pampas Grass

Cortaderia selloana

Found in barrier island marsh edges, other disturbed areas. Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), South Central edition What its natural habitat tells you

-15
Harmful

Not native to Alabama. How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 82%

Height
6–12 feet
Spread
4–6.75 feet
Light
Full sun, Partial shade
Soil moisture
Dry to moist

Do not plant. Listed invasive in Alabama.

At a glance

Life cycle
Perennial
Bloom
August to November

Not yet recorded · Leaves

Recorded in 8 Alabama counties.

Natural habitats

Places it grows wild. Not a planting requirement. Each habitat page lists the plants and wildlife also found there.

1 of 2

Freshwater marshes

Georgia pond and emergent wetland
Regional / representative. Shown: Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, Georgia; representative pond ecosystem, a neighboring state.Georgia pond and emergent wetland, Robert 'Bob' Hynes, 1997. Public domain. Source record.

Roadsides, fields and disturbed ground

Ground opened by people: roadsides, old fields, pastures, fencerows and lots.

All habitats

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

3CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including AL

Genus host records with ranges including AL · Cortaderia

  • Mocis latipesSmall Mocis, Striped Grass Looper
  • Mythimna unipunctaArmyworm Moth, White Speck
  • Spodoptera frugiperdaFall Armyworm Moth
Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)
—BeesSoutheastern regional records
—Specialist beesPollen specialists
—BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim
Growing and identification

Plant details

Family
Poaceae
Hardiness
Zones 6a–10b
Soil pH
Acidic to alkaline
Flower color
Cream, gray/silver, pink, variegated or white

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope

Conservation status

Alabama rankSNA
Global rankGNR
AL statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source Global and federal source

Native alternatives

Find natives for your garden

Sources