This grass can make a beautiful garden plant if it is well looked after. Prepare the soil well before sowing (i.e. fertilising and digging in compost before planting), water regularly and fertilise during the growing season. Although it is a perennial and looks as if it dies in winter, cut it back to about 150 mm and the plant will sprout again in spring.

Seeds can be collected by tying a plastic bag around the inflorescence and bending it downwards. After about two weeks the seeds will have collected in the bottom of the plastic bag. These seeds can then be sown in seed trays or in open ground. When sowing the seeds the soil must be mixed in the ratio 1:1:1 (sifted pine bark : river sand : loam). Spread seeds evenly on top of the soil mixture, and then cover with approximately 0.5 mm of the same mixture. Use a very fine-holed watering can to water. Seedlings can be transplanted after 8 weeks; when transplanting, be careful not to break the roots.