About
An upright to spreading, tender perennial grass, with pleated, elliptic to lance-shaped green leaves to 45cm long. Produces fine sprays of greenish tan flowers on arching stems in late summer. May be evergreen in warmer regions.
About the genus
Setaria can be annual or perennial grasses, with linear to elliptic leaves and small flowers in a panicle, the spikelets with a tuft of conspicuous bristles
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH2
Plant details
Plant typeGrass Like
HabitClump forming
FoliageSemi evergreen
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread1.5-2.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Sub-tropical
Native toAsia to Australia
Care notes
CultivationMay be grown outdoors in frost-free areas, otherwise best grown in a container or lifted to overwinter in a cool greenhouse or conservatory. Grow in any well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by division in spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to red spider mites and caterpillars
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to rust diseases