Dried pampas grass is a bold and stunning decoration for homes, weddings, and special events, but how do you get it perfectly dried and styled? Drying out pampas grass for home decor is a simple, enjoyable process that takes 2 or 3 weeks—all you need is garden shears, string, and hair spray. That’s why we’ve put together a step-by-step guide to cutting, drying, and styling pampas grass. If you’re ready to add a chic, rustic touch to your home, keep scrolling!

Things You Should Know

  • Hang pampas stems upside down for 2 to 3 weeks in a dry, ventilated area to thoroughly dry them.
  • Use hair spray or plant sealant to preserve the pampas and help it hold its shape and color.
  • Style pampas in vases or wreaths anywhere in your home. Pair it with warm, neutral colors and simple decorations.
1

Cut pampas stems close to the ground.

  1. Use shears or a knife to cut the best pampas stems from your garden. Leave a few inches left to grow new pampas grass later in the season. The stems are hardy, thick, and sharp, so make sure to wear long sleeves and protective gloves. Use sharp, sturdy tools to cut through the stems easily.[1]
    • Choose tall stems with full plumes for styling flexibility. The amount you cut depends on how many you need for your decor (3-5 plumes fills a vase nicely).
    • Cut stems in late August or September when the pampas is in its first full bloom. Do it on a dry afternoon after the morning dew has dried.[2]
    • Make sure there’s no wildlife, like rodents or snakes, sheltering in your pampas patch before you start cutting.[3]
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2

Trim and prune the stems.

  1. Use sharp shears to cut the stems down and remove extra foliage. First, give your fresh cut stems a good shake to get rid of loose plumage.[4] Then snip your stems to whichever lengths you need for your decor—consider longer stalks for floor vases and shorter ones for centerpieces or wreaths.[5]
    • After trimming, cut off any extra leaves or growths on the stem so it’s smooth. This will give your dried pampas a sleek look once it’s dried.
    • Trim stems that are going into the same vase to slightly different lengths to add dimension and styling flexibility.
    • Keep your gardening gloves on while you trim and prune. Those stems are sharp!
7

Arrange and style your pampas.

  1. Showcase your pampas in vases or wreaths anywhere in your home. Stick to one color of pampas per vase and include 3 to 5 stems. If you like, accent the vase with something simple like a burlap ribbon (pampas grass is bold on its own and doesn’t need much decorating).[9]
    • Place pampas vases against warm, muted walls for a beautiful, rustic look.
    • If your plumes need more volume, tape several together by the stems and style them like they’re one big piece.[10]
    • Keep dried pampas decor away from direct sunlight, humidity, and pets to extend its life.[11]
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Warnings

  • Always wear gloves and long sleeves when you’re cutting or handling fresh pampas grass. The stems are sharp and can cut you if you’re not careful.[14]
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About This Article

Jeanne Walker
Co-authored by:
Florist
This article was co-authored by Jeanne Walker and by wikiHow staff writer, Dan Hickey. Jeanne Walker is a Florist and the Owner of Fringe Flower Company, a floral design shop that specializes in weddings, special events, and daily deliveries. Fringe Flower Company, based in Walnut Creek, California, provides customized hand-tied and vase bouquets along with potted plants, succulent gardens, tulip french buckets, and wreaths. Jeanne also conducts floral design workshops and parties throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. This article has been viewed 6,864 times.
3 votes - 100%
Co-authors: 3
Updated: October 25, 2022
Views: 6,864
Categories: Landscaping
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