Growing Melinis

Latin Name Pronunciation: meh-leen' iss

Melinis is a small genus of about 20 perennial, warm-season, clumping Grass species from dry, open habitats in Africa and some warm parts of Asia. A couple of cultivated varieties are lovely additions to gardens or mass plantings when grown as annuals in cool-climate gardens, where they cannot proliferate by seed.

Growing Melinis

Plant the crown just at soil level, or slightly above if you will be adding mulch. Spacing is indicated on the back of the plant tag.

Light: Sun.

Watering: Low; plants perform best in drier conditions and are tolerant of heat and drought.

Fertilizer: Do not fertilize. Grows well in low-fertility soil. Mulch with previous season’s growth, sterile straw, or gravel, if possible. If mulching with wood products, apply sparingly and do not let it pile up around the crown, which can cause rot.

Soil: Well-drained; can tolerate a range of soil conditions, including poor fertility.

Pests/Diseases: Generally pest- and disease-free, although voles may feed on crown or roots. Avoid excess moisture-retaining wood product mulch.

Dividing/Transplanting:  Not needed unless you wish to overwinter indoors.

End-of-Season Care:  Cut remaining flowers for bouquets or seed saving. Dig up and pot to overwinter indoors in a cool, bright room. In Zone 8 and warmer climates, remove plants before winter as a precaution against excessive seeding.