How to Grow and Care for Japanese Forest Grass

Named cultivars do not produce viable seeds, so most forms of Japanese forest grass are propagated by division. Here’s how to do it:

Hakonechloa macra

Japanese Forest Grass is an ornamental, shade-loving, deciduous perennial grass. Its habit is dense, arching, spreading, cascading mounds of grass that serve as a ground cover. It has arching, linear to lanceolate, bright green leaves that are about 10 inches long and 3/8 inches wide. The leaves have a blush of red to pink in the fall. During the winter the plant dies back to the ground. Flowering occurs in mid to late summer in the form of airy sprays of greenish-yellow flowers that are often hidden by the foliage.

This grass is native to Japan, and it is found in the moist mountains of central Japan along wet rocky cliffs and moist woodlands.

The genus name Hakonechloa is derived from the name of the mountain, Mt. Hakone, which is found in Japan. The word chloa is Greek and means grass. The specific epithet, macra, is derived from Greek and means large.

Hakone grass requires rich, consistently moist, well-drained soil. It tolerates part to full shade, particularly in hot summers, and gives the best color intensity, especially in the variegated forms, when shielded from full sun. The leaves may scorch in the heat if moisture is inconsistent. This grass will not grow in poorly drained soil, heavy clay, or very dry soils. It grows best in cool summer climates, and it may not tolerate the hot summers of the southern United States, such as zones 8 through 9. It is tolerant of urban pollution, deer resistant, and black walnut tolerant. It is best propagated by division in the spring. It is slow-growing, and it may take years until the division of the plant is required. The foliage should be cut back to the ground in late winter or early spring.

Japanese Forest Grass has soft rich green foliage, but many variegated cultivars are available with white, green, or gold striping. This ornamental grass resembles bamboo and spreads by rhizomes and stolons but it is not considered to be invasive.

This ornamental, perennial ground cover may be used as an accent in a shady woodland garden or serve as a border along a shaded path or walkway. It is an excellent plant for all shaded locations and is attractive when planted on slopes or sprawled over rocks.

Seasons of Interest:

Bloom: Summer Foliage: Spring, Summer, and Fall

Quick ID Hints:

• ornamental, shade-loving, perennial grass
• arching, dense, spreading, and cascading mounds of grass
• bright green, linear to lanceolate leaves meaning 10 inches long and 3/8 inches wide
• yellowish-green wispy flowers bloom in mid to late summer and are often hidden by the foliage

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: The Japanese Forest Grass is generally insect and disease free. In hot climates, the leaves may scorch if there is inadequate moisture. Root heaving can occur during winter frosts. Apply a thick layer of mulch over the crowns of the plant before winter to prevent this problem.

VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.

Profile Video: See this plant in the following landscape: Cultivars / Varieties:

• ‘Alboaurea’
  leaves have long stripes of creamy white, yellow, and green
• ‘Albostriata’ or Albovariegata’
  green leaves with creamy white stripes, grows up to 3 feet all
• ‘All Gold’
  more upright and spiky, smaller, and slow-growing‘Aureola’
  bright golden leaves with narrow green stripes, autumn foliage red to pink flushed
• ‘Benikaze’
  green leaves summer and shades of red in the cool of the fall
• ‘Fubuki’
  Green and white striped
• ‘Naomi’
  yellow and green variegated turns purplish-red in the fall
• ‘Nicolas’
  green leaves that turns red, yellow, and orange in the fall‘Samurai’
  Graceful arching clumps and variegated leaves‘Stripe It Rich’
  Striking stripes on its leaves

‘Alboaurea’, ‘Albostriata’ or Albovariegata’, ‘All Gold’, ‘Aureola’, ‘Benikaze’, ‘Fubuki’, ‘Naomi’, ‘Nicolas’, ‘Samurai’, ‘Stripe It Rich’ Tags: #cultivars#gold#arching#deciduous#slow growing#shade garden#low maintenance#ornamental grass#mounding#well-drained soil#spreading#rich soils#cascading#deer resistant#rhizomes#variegated#groundcover#rock garden#border planting#walkway planting#urban conditions tolerant#black walnut toxicity tolerant#heat intolerant#heavy shade tolerant#woodland garden#cool summers#shade perennial#landscape plant sleuths course#shade tolerant#buncombe county sun and shade garden#perennial grass

Cultivars / Varieties:

• ‘Alboaurea’
  leaves have long stripes of creamy white, yellow, and green
• ‘Albostriata’ or Albovariegata’
  green leaves with creamy white stripes, grows up to 3 feet all
• ‘All Gold’
  more upright and spiky, smaller, and slow-growing‘Aureola’
  bright golden leaves with narrow green stripes, autumn foliage red to pink flushed
• ‘Benikaze’
  green leaves summer and shades of red in the cool of the fall
• ‘Fubuki’
  Green and white striped
• ‘Naomi’
  yellow and green variegated turns purplish-red in the fall
• ‘Nicolas’
  green leaves that turns red, yellow, and orange in the fall‘Samurai’
  Graceful arching clumps and variegated leaves‘Stripe It Rich’
  Striking stripes on its leaves

‘Alboaurea’, ‘Albostriata’ or Albovariegata’, ‘All Gold’, ‘Aureola’, ‘Benikaze’, ‘Fubuki’, ‘Naomi’, ‘Nicolas’, ‘Samurai’, ‘Stripe It Rich’ Tags: #cultivars#gold#arching#deciduous#slow growing#shade garden#low maintenance#ornamental grass#mounding#well-drained soil#spreading#rich soils#cascading#deer resistant#rhizomes#variegated#groundcover#rock garden#border planting#walkway planting#urban conditions tolerant#black walnut toxicity tolerant#heat intolerant#heavy shade tolerant#woodland garden#cool summers#shade perennial#landscape plant sleuths course#shade tolerant#buncombe county sun and shade garden#perennial grass

• Attributes: Genus: Hakonechloa Species: macra Family: Poaceae Life Cycle: Perennial Recommended Propagation Strategy: Division Country Or Region Of Origin: Japan Distribution: Native: Japan. Introduced: Brazil Southeast and the United States Play Value: Defines Paths Easy to Grow Shade Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems): Deer resistant. Generally insect and disease free. Dimensions: Height: 1 ft. 0 in. – 1 ft. 6 in. Width: 1 ft. 0 in. – 2 ft. 0 in.

• Whole Plant Traits: Plant Type: Ground Cover Ornamental Grasses and Sedges Perennial Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics: Deciduous Habit/Form: Arching Cascading Dense Mounding Growth Rate: Slow Maintenance: Low Texture: Medium

• Cultural Conditions: Light: Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours) Soil Texture: High Organic Matter Loam (Silt) Sand Soil pH: Acid ( <6.0) Neutral (6.0-8.0) Soil Drainage: Good Drainage Moist Available Space To Plant: 12 inches-3 feet NC Region: Coastal Mountains Piedmont USDA Plant Hardiness Zone: 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b

• Fruit: Fruit Type: Caryopsis

• Flowers: Flower Color: Gold/Yellow Green Flower Inflorescence: Insignificant Panicle Spike Flower Bloom Time: Summer Flower Description: The flowers are greenish-yellow wispy panicles that are often hidden by the foliage. They bloom from July to August. Blooms in July and August.

• Leaves: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics: Deciduous Leaf Color: Gold/Yellow Green Variegated White Leaf Feel: Papery Leaf Value To Gardener: Showy Deciduous Leaf Fall Color: Pink Red/Burgundy Leaf Shape: Lanceolate Linear Hairs Present: Yes Leaf Length: > 6 inches Leaf Width: < 1 inch Leaf Description: The leaves are bright green, slender, linear to lanceolate, and measure 10 inches long and 3/8 inches wide. They have a papery texture. In the fall, the leaves have a reddish-to-pinkish blush.

• Stem: Stem Is Aromatic: No Stem Description: The stems are wiry.

• Landscape: Landscape Location: Container Naturalized Area Patio Riparian Walkways Woodland Landscape Theme: Asian Garden Cottage Garden Rock Garden Shade Garden Design Feature: Accent Border Mass Planting Specimen Resistance To Challenges: Black Walnut Deer Heavy Shade Pollution

Hakonechloa macra

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How to Grow and Care for Japanese Forest Grass

David Beaulieu is a landscaping expert and plant photographer, with 20 years of experience.

Andrew Hughes is a certified arborist, member of the International Society of Arborists specializing in tree heal care, and reviews tree content on The Spruce’s Gardening Review Board. He founded and runs Urban Loggers, LLC, a company offering residential tree services in the Midwest and Connecticut.

Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra) is a beautiful perennial ornamental grass—one of the rare grasses that thrive in shady conditions. It has arching, lance-shaped green or variegated leaves about 10 inches long that cascade in a neat mounding clump, up to 18 inches tall and 24 inches wide. Unlike many ornamental grasses, it is slow-growing and does not spread invasively.

Japanese forest grass is normally planted as a container-grown nursery plant in spring, though it can also be planted when it turns cool in the fall. Just make sure not to plant it during summer’s dry heat. It can take a full year to reach its full size, and then will spread slowly in a manner that doesn’t require much in the way of control.

Light

Japanese forest grass prefers partial shade, such as that found in woodland areas. In cooler climates, it can tolerate more sun, while in warmer regions it can tolerate near full shade. Part-shade conditions typically produce the brightest yellow in the leaf color; full shade may make the leaves more green than variegated, and full sun can scorch the leaf tips.

Soil

Japanese forest grass does well when planted in any moist, well-drained soil with a good amount of humus and other organic matter. Dense soils should be amended with compost or peat moss before planting.

Water

Japanese forest grass requires frequent watering and moist soil. This is not a plant for arid conditions, though established plants can tolerate short periods of drought without catastrophe. Most gardens find that the standard 1 inch, divided into two or three equal waterings per week, is ideal for this plant. A good amount of water-retentive organic material in the soil helps Japanese forest grass enjoy the moisture it requires.

Temperature and Humidity

Where Japanese forest grass is native, it thrives in cool, moist conditions. But if you give it shade, water it regularly, and keep its roots cool by mulching, it can do well in warmer areas. Extreme heat or cold may kill the plant. It is reliably hardy up to zone 5, but it can be quite successful in zone 4 if mulched in the winter.

Fertilizer

Organic mulch provides all the nutrition this plant needs. If you do fertilize, do it in spring just after the first new growth appears, using a balanced fertilizer, then omit any feeding for the rest of the season.

Types of Japanese Forest Grass

The pure species form of H. macra has bright green leaves that form a mounding cascade 12 to 18 inches high. A number of good cultivars are also available that offer some variety in leaf color and size:

• Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’: This beautiful variegated form has chartreuse and green leaves that form an elegant mounding cascade 12 to 18 inches tall.
• H. macra ‘Albostriata’: The green leaves on this cultivar have thick and thin creamy white stripes. The plant is more sun-tolerant than the golden forms, and it grows faster and taller, to as much as 36 inches. It may also be more cold-hardy than the other cultivars.
• H. macra ‘All Gold’: This cultivar has brighter leaves and is comparatively upright and spiky in form. The overall plant is smaller and grows slower than the other cultivars.
• H. macra ‘Benikaze’: With a name translated as “red wind,” this cultivar is green through the summer but takes on varying shades of red as the weather cools off.
• H. macra ‘Alboaurea’: This cultivar has leaves with long stripes of creamy white, yellow, and bright green.
• H. macra ‘Naomi’: This yellow and green variegated cultivar turns a striking purplish-red in fall.
• H. macra ‘Nicolas’: This unusual cultivar has brilliant green foliage that turns striking shades of red, yellow, and orange in fall before dying back for winter.

Pruning

No pruning is necessary for these plants, other than removing dead leaves as they turn yellow and brown. At the end of the growing season, it’s a good idea to cut back and remove the dead foliage before mulching for the winter. However, in colder regions, the foliage is often left in place until spring to help insulate the crown.

Propagating Japanese Forest Grass

Named cultivars do not produce viable seeds, so most forms of Japanese forest grass are propagated by division. Here’s how to do it:

1. In spring as active new growth is just beginning, dig up the entire clump, using a shovel.
2. Use a spade or garden knife to divide the clump into three or four sections, each with a healthy group of roots and some active shoots.
3. Immediately replant the clumps in well-prepared soil. If using it as a ground cover, plant the pieces 18 to 24 inches apart.

How to Grow Japanese Forest Grass From Seed

While named cultivars generally do not produce viable seeds, the pure species form of H. macra can sometimes be propagated by harvesting seeds from the dried flowers and planting them in small containers filled with potting mix. Seeds will take a year or two to develop into viable plants, so it is much more common to propagate by division (see above).

Potting and Repotting Japanese Forest Grass

This ornamental grass can also be grown in containers, where it cascades down over the edge for a nice softening effect. Choose a large pot (any material) that has drainage holes to prevent the soil from becoming boggy, and place the pot in a shady spot that receives some dappled light. Other than that, growing the forest grass in a container is quite easy. Like any potted plant, it will need more frequent watering—daily, in hot conditions. And potted specimens may benefit from a monthly feeding with diluted fertilizer, as frequent watering tends to leach out soil nutrients.

This slow-growing plant will not outgrow its container for many years, if ever. In colder regions, the pots should be moved to a sheltered location (a garage, porch, or cold frame) to go dormant for the winter. Or, the pots can be buried in the garden up to the rim to spend the winter.

Overwintering

Japanese forest grass should generally be cut back to near ground level as the foliage dies back as winter approaches. In colder climates, a thick layer of dry mulch heaped over the crowns will help protect the plant from freeze-thaw cycles that can kill the plant. Zone 4 gardeners can usually avoid winter kill by mulching the plant.

How to Get Japanese Forest Grass to Bloom

In mid- to late summer, tiny flowers appear as small inflorescences, but they are nondescript and often go unnoticed. Thus, there is no particular reason to worry if this plant does not flower.

Common Problems With Japanese Forest Grass

This plant is nearly immune to serious pest and disease problems, but you may find that winter frost causes the plant crowns to heave up from the ground. Applying a thick layer of mulch over the crowns as winter sets in can help prevent this. If it does occur, it is an easy matter to replant the clumps at the proper depth as new growth begins in spring.

Japanese forest grass can develop scorched, brown leaves if the plant is growing in sunny conditions or in an especially hot climate. This is rarely a serious problem; keep the plant well-watered and prune off dead leaves.

This is a very good spreading ornamental grass for a ground cover in shady areas or as an accent in woodland gardens. Its vibrant leaves help brighten dark areas, and it blends well with blue-flowered plants such as Jacob’s ladder or blue-leaved hosta. The lighter, variegated cultivars contrast beautifully with darker plants, such as coral bells, celosia, or dark-foliage varieties of sweet potato vines.

Hakonechloa macra was originally discovered by western botonists in the moist forests around Mt. Hakone in central Japan, which accounts for both its botanical name and one of its common names.

Are there other shade-loving ornamental grasses I can consider?

A similar plant with grass-like leaves also popular for shady areas is mondo grass (Ophiopogon japonicus), a strappy-leafed member of the lily family. It is hardy in zones 7 to 10. Another choice is Liriope, a member of the asparagus family with strap-like leaves. Hardy in zones 4 to 10, Liriope species are more aggressive that Japanese forest grass, making them a good choice where you want to quickly establish a ground cover over a large area. It performs equally well in sunny and part shade conditions.

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