Botanical Name: Imperata cylindrica 'Rubra'
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Common Name: Japanese Blood Grass  
Plant photo of: Imperata cylindrica 'Rubra'
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Water Saving Tip:

Replace turf with groundcovers, trees, and shrubs. If you have areas where no one uses the grass, patches that do not grow well, or a turf area too small to water without runoff, consider replacing the turf with water-efficient landscaping.

  • Anatomy

  • Culture

  • Design

Plant Type

Ground cover, Perennial, Grass

 

Height Range

1-3'

 

Flower Color

n/a

 

Flower Season

n/a

 

Leaf Color

Green, Red

 

Bark Color

n/a

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Full, Half

 

Water

Medium

 

Growth Rate

Moderate

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay, Loam

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Well-drained, Moist

 

Soil pH

Neutral

 

Adverse Factors

Invasive

Design Styles

Japanese, Woodland

 

Accenting Features

Specimen

 

Seasonal Interest

n/a

 

Location Uses

Perennial Border, Patio, With Rocks

 

Special Uses

Container, Mass Planting

 

Attracts Wildlife

n/a

Information by: Stephanie Duer
Photographer:

  • Description

  • Notes

Japanese Bloodgrass has very vertical leaves that emerge bright green with wine-stained tips. Foliage becomes increasingly red as season progresses, turning copperish in winter. It is a lovely grass providing great vertical interest and a lovely color contrast, but it is invasive and will spread, choking out smaller plants and tangling with larger ones. Best used in confined areas or containers.
Cut back in late winter to early spring, just as new foliage is emerging. Due to its spreading tendencies, it is best suited to large areas as a ground cover, in containers, or confined between walks, drives, and buildings. It absolutely will spread.