How to Dry Pampas Grass Plumes

Ornamental grasses are experiencing a surge in popularity with gardeners choosing many small, medium and large varieties to add interest and simple beauty to sunny landscape areas. One of the popular large varieties is pampas grass. This attractive grass will perform reliably and dramatically year after year, as it grows taller and wider. In the center of the grass fronds, tall plumes grow in the late summer and early autumn. Some gardeners enjoy clipping the pampas grass plumes and drying them for floral arrangements.

Gardening gloves

Pruning shears

Twine

Wear gardening gloves to protect your hands from the sharp foliage of the pampas grass. Use the pruning shears to cut down the stalks near the base of the plant.

Tie the stalks together in manageable bundles (2 to 3 inches in diameter).

Hang the bundled stalks upside down from the rafters of a basement or a garage for two to three weeks to dry. Choose a drying location with plenty of air circulation for best results.

Remove the bundled stalks from the drying location when the stems are firm and the plumes appear much the same as they were. The appearance of dried pampas grass plumes will not change appreciably.

Use the dried plumes in any floral arrangement for a long-lasting display. Never place the pampas grass plumes in water after drying because they will deteriorate rapidly, and you will need to discard them.

Cut the plumes in mid-autumn when the plumes are at the peak of perfection. Do not wait until water saturates the plumes and they are no longer fluffy. Choose fluffy and fuzzy plumes.

Another way to dry pampas grass plumes is to insert them into a tall container without water. Allow the plumes to sit undisturbed in the container for several weeks to dry.

Consider wearing long sleeves and pants to protect your arms and legs from the pampas grass foliage.