Beginner
skill rating
Online Garden Tools
Useful videos
Arundo donax (Giant reed)
1 hour care
per year
per year
5m
Max height
Max height
3m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Arundo donax
Other names
Giant reed, Reed grass, Vineyard cane, Water reed, Spanish cane, Distaff cane, Great reed
Genus
Arundo Arundo
Species
A. donax - A. donax is a large fast-growing grass. It has stout stems with arching, glaucous leaves and panicles of purplish flowers in autumn.
Arundo donax is: Deciduous
Habit
Clump-forming, Spreading, Upright
Flower
Insignificant or absent, Flushed purple in Autumn
Foliage
Blue-green in Spring; Blue-green in Summer; Blue-green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest-free.
Diseases
Generally disease-free.
General care
Pruning
Cut stems down every other year to encourage flowering.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
Sign up for your FREE ACCOUNT today or login to receive detailed monthly care instructions
Where to grow
Arundo donax (Giant reed) will reach a height of 5m and a spread of 3m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Beds and borders, City, Cottage/Informal, Low Maintenance, Mediterranean
Cultivation
Prefers moist conditions in full sun with shelter from strong winds. Will tolerate most soils.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Arundo donax
Other names
Giant reed, Reed grass, Vineyard cane, Water reed, Spanish cane, Distaff cane, Great reed
Genus
Arundo Arundo
Species
A. donax - A. donax is a large fast-growing grass. It has stout stems with arching, glaucous leaves and panicles of purplish flowers in autumn.
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump-forming, Spreading, Upright
Create your free Shoot garden
Create your free SHOOT garden and make a record of the plants in your garden.
Add your own photos, notes, get monthly email reminders on how to care for your plants, and connect with other gardeners. Get started now.
Colour
Flower
Insignificant or absent, Flushed purple in Autumn
Foliage
Blue-green in Spring; Blue-green in Summer; Blue-green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest-free.
Diseases
Generally disease-free.
General care
Pruning
Cut stems down every other year to encourage flowering.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
Monthly care advice
Get access to monthly care advice
Create a free SHOOT account and get instant access to expert care advice for this and other plants in your garden.
You'll also receive handy monthly email reminders of what needs doing. Create your free account.
Where to grow
Arundo donax (Giant reed) will reach a height of 5m and a spread of 3m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Beds and borders, City, Cottage/Informal, Low Maintenance, Mediterranean
Cultivation
Prefers moist conditions in full sun with shelter from strong winds. Will tolerate most soils.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive, Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
ARTICLES WITH THIS PLANT
By award-winning landscape designer James Basson. Taking inspiration from the unique Mediterranean landscape of Malta, the design for the M&G Garden 2017 draws on the ecological diversity and… read more
To add ? to your lists,
login to your account or subscribe.
Find out more about plant lists here
or Login
To add notes for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To add images for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To check if this plant is suitable for your garden first login to your account or subscribe.
or Login