'Cabaret' is an herbaceous clumping ornamental grass in the grass family (Poaceae) and a cultivar of the invasive Japanese silver grass. This is a clumping grass that will grow 6 to 7 feet tall and spread 3 to 4 feet in an upright slightly arching form. It does best in full sun but will tolerate some shade. Plant in well-drained, moist soils for best results. Leave the foliage uncut during the winter and cut back to one foot in late winter. The long narrow leaves are green with a white central stripe and turn tan in winter. The inflorescence is a showy cluster of small pinkish-white flowers in the fall. This cultivar is considered slower to set seed and spread than other varieties, but it can cross-pollinate with others and become more aggressive. Please see native grass alternatives to the left. Grasses can be used in the border, as a specimen, in the wildlife garden or in naturalized areas. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. Has the potential to become weedy. More information on Miscanthus sinensis .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Similar, less problematicPanicum virgatum 'Cloud Nine'Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal'
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Life cycle
Perennial
USDA zones
6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 7 ft. 0 in. | Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
High
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Arching; Dense; Erect
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Cream/Tan; Green; White
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf shape
Linear
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Cream white centers with wide dark green margins; individual stems may revert to green. Fades to tan after frost
Flower color
Brown/Copper; Pink; White
Flower value
Long-lasting; Showy
Flower form
Panicle
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Tiny, pinkish-white flowers appear in tassel-like inflorescences which rise above the foliage clump in late summer. Flower plumes mature to creamy white as the seed ripens, with plumes lasting well into if not through the winter.
Bloom time
Fall; Summer
Fruit type
Caryopsis
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Asia
Attracts
Songbirds
Food & Medicine
Fruit type
Caryopsis
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Coastal; Meadow; Naturalized Area; Pond
Landscape theme
Cottage Garden; Water Garden
Design feature
Accent; Border; Small groups; Specimen
Garden tags
#deer resistant #showy flowers #ornamental grass #fall interest #variegated #weedy #high maintenance #naturalizes #full sun tolerant #naturalized area