Whether you’re short on garden space or simply want to bring more texture to your patio, ornamental grasses make exceptional container plants. “They’re hardy, versatile, and well-suited to different growing conditions,” says David Hill, owner of Ornamental Grasses of Puget Sound. “Plus, they can be pretty forgiving if you miss a watering.”
Since caring for these plants is so simple, there’s no reason not to add them to your porch or container garden. Below, a few expert-approved favorites—and how to keep them thriving all season.
Miscanthus “Little Miss”
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Sugar Creek Gardens
This compact variety of maiden grass adds subtle seasonal color. Its slender green leaves take on reddish-purple tones in summer and deepen to warm shades of red in fall. In midsummer, soft red plumes appear and mature to tan seed heads that provide gentle winter interest, according to Hill.
Zones: 4 to 9Size: 2 to 3 feet tall x 2 to 3 feet wideCare requirements: Full to partial sun; rich, well-draining soil
Miscanthus “Gold Bar”
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With green leaves marked by horizontal gold bands, this striking ornamental grass matures slowly—making it perfect for container life. Burgundy flowers appear in early autumn, complementing the plant’s upright shape.
“When choosing tall varieties, ensure the container is weighted enough to balance the eventual height of the grass,” Hill notes.
Zones: 5 to 9Size: 4 to 5 feet tall x 2 to 4 feet wideCare requirements: Full to partial sun; moist, well-draining soil
Mexican Feather
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“Their shallow root systems adapt easily to pot life, making them perfect for limited garden spaces like patios, balconies, or entryways,” Hill says.
This soft grass (Nassella tenuissima) thrives in full sun and heat with very little maintenance. Its hairlike leaves sway beautifully in the breeze, adding movement to container arrangements.
Zones: 7 to 10Size: 2 to 3 feet tall x 2 to 3 feet wideCare requirements: Full to partial sun; loamy, well-draining soil
Orange Sedge
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Hill recommends Carex testacea, or Orange Sedge, for its compact size and year-round visual appeal. Its arching leaves shift from bronze-green to brilliant orange, creating a stunning contrast in mixed containers.
Zones: 6 to 10Size: 1 to 2 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wideCare requirements: Full to partial sun; rich, well-draining soil
Coffee Sedge
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Emerisa’s Garden
This Carex variety checks all the boxes for an ideal container plant. Its delicate, copper-bronze leaves add contrast to container arrangements, its clumping growth habit makes it easy to manage, and it does well in both sun and partial shade.
Zones: 6 to 9Size: 1 to 2 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wideCare requirements: Full to partial sun; rich, well-draining soil
Japanese Forest Grass
Hakonechloa macra ‘Naomi’ is a type of Japanese forest grass with red, as well as gold in its leaves.
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Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra) cascades over container edges, adding a soft, layered appearance. It grows slowly and can stay in its pot for many years.
“Most of the grasses on our list will thrive in containers, but ensure those that prefer shade, like [this one], get a suitable shady spot, like a north-facing porch,” Hill says.
Zones: 4 to 9Size: 1 to 2 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wideCare requirements: Full to partial shade; rich, well-draining soil
Little Bluestem “Little Red Fox”
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Melinda Myers, a horticulturist and gardening expert, describes this ornamental grass as a compact version of the native little bluestem, with graceful foliage, warm fall tones, and soft seed heads. Native across most of the US, this bluestem brings rich red tones to fall containers.
Its deep roots mean it needs a deep pot and excellent drainage.
Zones: 3 to 10bSize: 2 to 3 feet tall x 2 to 3 feet wideCare requirements: Full sun; loamy, well-draining soil
Big Bluestem “Blackhawks”
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This taller native species brings vertical interest to large containers. “The foliage starts green and turns a deep purple starting mid-summer, getting darker in the fall. Seed heads add to the fall interest,” Myers says.
Zones: 3 to 9Size: 4 to 6 feet tall x 1 to 3 feet wideCare requirements: Full sun; loamy, well-draining soil
Red Switchgrass “Cheyenne Sky”
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Compact and easy to care for, this switchgrass provides vibrant color in a manageable size, making it ideal for containers and small-space gardens.
According to Meyers, this native grass’s blue-green leaves turn red in summer, and purple flowers appear in late summer.
Zones: 4 to 9Size: 3 feet tall x 2 feet wideCare requirements: Full sun; loamy, well-draining soil
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