This species is best used as part of a mixed border or in a group in a Mediterranean or fynbos garden. Because the rhizomes do not spread, the plant can be grown in a large pot. The plants blend well with fynbos, other indigenous South African plants as well as any other plants in a garden. They can be used as small shrubs or to provide a grass-like touch, now so fashionable in landscaping. The plants are best grown from seed, which has a good germination rate and germinates even better if treated with smoke or 'Instant Smoke Plus' seed primer. Sow seed after it has been cleaned of impurities. It is virtually impossible to separate the undeveloped seed from the viable seed as this is normally done by placing the seed in water where the viable seed sinks down and the infertile seed floats, but with seed of the genera which have winged seeds, namely Elegia, Thamnochortus and Staberoha, this is not possible, as the wings keep all seeds afloat.

Seed is best sown in autumn when day and night temperatures are about 15°C apart. Nights have cooled to about 10°C with day temperatures about 25° C. Sow in a well-drained medium in seed trays and cover with a thin layer of medium milled bark. Water moderately. Germination takes about 3 weeks. Prick out the seedlings into individual containers once the first true stems/culms have developed. They should be ready for planting out in the garden by the following autumn.

This species must be grown in full sun, prefers a well-drained soil and plenty of air movement. The plants adapt to a large variety of soil types. The best time for planting restios is at the beginning of the rainy season, as the plants need regular watering, especially during the first six weeks to two months after planting. The plants may be fed with standard organic fertilizers, slow release fertilizers, or by sprinkling the surrounding soil with a small amount of ammonium sulfate during the growing season. This is a fast-growing species that will be nearly 1 m high one year after sowing and will have formed a handsome plant after three years. The plants produce a new growth flush every year. The individual stems start to deteriorate during the third year, but by that time, two new flushes of growth will have appeared for the yearly renewal of the plant. This governs the maintenance of the plant, which only needs a regular removal of the brown, dead stems.