Without proper watering, this beautiful ornamental grass will underperform. In the ground, watering issues can be solved, but In a container, too much or too little water will kill Hakone grass in short order. When Hakone grass isn't receiving the right amount of water, it may stop growing. In the case of overwatering, it will begin to display yellow leaves with brown tips. Underwatering can produce drooping leaves, weak seed head production, and browned leaves. If you suspect your Hakone grass has been improperly watered, the first thing to do is figure out if the problem is too much or too little. If your Hakone grass is getting too much water, stop watering it immediately. Sometimes it can take weeks for heavy soils to dry out, so be patient. At the first sign of new growth, test the soil for moisture and decide whether it needs more water or not. The solution for Hakone grass receiving too little water is even simpler: give the grasses a nice, deep drink and see if it perks up. Bearing all of this in mind, remember that a long, deep watering is always better than a lot of shallow, frequent waterings. The reason for this is that deep watering encourages grasses to grow deep roots, which makes them more drought resistant and less prone to problems from watering.

The watering needs of Hakone grass will vary depending on where it is planted. Generally, you should water this grass every week. In hot climates, once or twice a week watering in the summer may be necessary. In moderate climates, watering once every seven days or more may be enough. Grass in containers almost always need more frequent watering than grasses in the ground. But with a species such as this that can thrive in full sun or part shade, the location also matters. Shaded grasses need to be watered less frequently than in-ground grasses. Hakone grass should only be watered when the soil is dry. If you’re unsure when to water, there are a few key signs you can use as your cue. Pressing your finger a couple of inches into the soil will tell you if the soil is dry. For a potted grass, you can weigh the grass with a portable scale to see how light it is, but you can also quickly feel when the pot is light from lack of water. Like many types of grass, the blades may appear folded along their centers and thinner than usual when the roots lack sufficient water. Despite its drought tolerance, regular, deep waterings will reward you with a beautiful color. In the wild, Hakone grass grows in open scrubland, where it would be subject to extreme heat, loads of bright sun, and intermittent rain. Because this grass is drought resistant, you might expect never to need to water it. But don’t let its hardiness fool you, Hakone grass still needs care and attention. Even though this hardy grass can handle harsh, dry conditions, gardeners agree that it thrives best with consistent water. When first planted, Hakone grass will need more frequent water until it has established deep roots. For Hakone grass in pots, the soil will dry out quickly, especially if the pot is in hot, direct sun for a large part of the day. Test the soil every 3 to 4 days and water only when it feels dry. Hakone grassed in the ground generally needs less watering, but that depends on the soil it is grown in. Heavy clay soil holds water for a long time and may feel dry at the surface while still retaining plenty of moisture below the ground. Sandy soils that drain quickly will need to be watered more often.

You can often tell if you are watering enough by the rate of growth of your grasses. Hakone grass during the hottest months of the year and has been known to double in size in a year’s time. If the weather is hot and the grass is not growing vigorously, you may need to adjust your watering schedule. In winter, you might be able to get away with watering only once a month, but you will still want to touch the soil to test for moisture. During a growth cycle (in the warmest months), the grass will need more water than usual. But during winter and cooler months, the need for water will be dramatically reduced. The most important thing to remember about Hakone grass is that the soil it is planted in should always be allowed to dry out completely before adding water.

Pruning your Hakone grass is a fairly simple process that helps encourage the growth of a naturally healthy plant. To keep your Hakone grass in good health year after year, you can choose to either strategically prune it or cut it back each season. Depending on your preferences and where the Hakone grass is grown will determine if and when you should prune it. Pruning this plant is not an essential task, but it will enhance its appearance. Whether to prune or cut back depends on the way you want your plant to grow and the look you’re trying to achieve in your garden. Some gardeners favor the cutting back method, as it leaves more room for entirely new growth. However, it is possible to selectively and strategically prune Hakone grass while still encouraging full healthy growth in spring.

Pruning your Hakone grass is a fairly simple process. First, you will need a reliable set of hand pruners or hedge trimmers. You may use a clean pair of sharp scissors if you don’t have pruners or garden shears on hand. It’s important to always clean your gardening tools before and after using them to prevent the possibility of spreading disease or infection to other plants. Plants can be cut down to the ground in late Winter to make room for new growth the following season. This method is called cutting back. To do this, simply cut all parts of the plant down until it is only a few inches tall. Lush, new, green foliage will appear in Spring. If you choose to cut down rather than prune, you may need to take measures to protect your plant from late-winter cold fronts that could leave your fresh-cut plant ends susceptible to damage. Alternatively, you can wait for the frost to pass and cut off the dried parts so that the dried parts can act as a warmth retainer. Dying, damaged, yellow or declining foliage should be removed as it appears. These parts of Hakone grass cannot be restored and pruning can increases the ventilation inside the plant and facilitates its growth. Any pruning that is done to this plant should be cut straight across the blades or stems. No angled cuts are required. This operation can be carried out at any time when the plants are growing.

Once you’ve pruned your plant, you should dispose of the stems and leaves either by composting the healthy ones or throwing out the diseased parts. You can also fertilize just before or after pruning, which gives Hakone grass a little vitamin boost that can provide it the nutrients needed to better protect itself from any nearby pathogens or diseases. Do not water the plants immediately after pruning as this can lead to fungal infestation of the plants through the wounds. You don’t need much after care when you’re done pruning. It might benefit from light watering and some liquid plant food to encourage new growth.

Early spring and late winter are the best times to prune plants on a large scale, and if you want to control the size of your Hakone grass you can prune them as you wish. If you want Hakone grass to regrow, cut the leaves back to about 1-2 inches from the ground. Yellow and diseased leaves may appear during the summer months when the plant is in full bloom . These types of leaves need to be pruned back immediately as they cannot be restored.

Strategic pruning is usually done at different times of the year or during certain stages of growth depending on the plant. However, knowing when to prune your Hakone grass depends on where you live and how established your plant is. For example, if your Hakone grass is a new resident in your garden, it’s a good idea to wait until the following Winter to start pruning. On the other hand, if your plant is already established, you will want to prune the dead foliage before new leafy growth appears in Spring. Doing so allows the dried out parts to keep the underground parts warm in winter and acts as a protection for the plant. It’s important to note that if Hakone grass is pruned too late in the season, it can leave new growth at risk for damage or disease. Since this can affect the long-term health and appearance of your plant, it’s important to keep this in mind when deciding when and how to prune. As your Hakone grass grows larger over time, you can either cut it back entirely to control its size or trim it as needed after annual pruning.

The best tip when it comes to pruning Hakone grass is to rather leave them be. If you do not need to prune this plant, do not. Hakone grass can grow exceptionally well with minimal to no pruning. Pruning is only ideal if you wish to cut the plant back entirely before new growth begins. Or if you wish to tidy the plant up as they do tend to self-seed readily and can get out of hand.

Hakone grass requires about 3-6 hours of direct sunlight each day to thrive. However, it also needs some shade during the hottest parts of the day to prevent sun damage. Morning sunlight is ideal for Hakone grass, but it can also tolerate some afternoon sun if the temperature is not too hot. To provide the perfect balance of sunlight, try planting Hakone grass in an area that gets partial sun, such as under a tree or on the east side of a building.

If Hakone grass is exposed to too much direct sunlight, its leaves may turn yellow, dry out, or even burn. You may also notice that the plant wilts or becomes stunted. To prevent sun damage, make sure to give Hakone grass some shade during the hottest parts of the day. You can use a shade cloth or plant Hakone grass near taller plants that can provide some natural shade.

If Hakone grass doesn't get enough sunlight, it may grow tall and lanky, with sparse foliage. The leaves may also turn yellow or pale green, indicating that the plant is not producing enough chlorophyll due to lack of sunlight. To remedy this, try moving Hakone grass to a sunnier spot, or prune nearby foliage to allow more light to reach the plant.

The best temperature for Hakone grass depends on the time of year. There are two primary seasons to discuss for temperature: the growing season, and the dormancy season. During the growing season, once Hakone grass has begun to sprout, the ideal temperature range should be anywhere from 65~80℉(18~27℃). Any colder than 15℉(-10℃), and the plant will suffer; its leaves may brown and wilt, but if this is a short cold snap, then Hakone grass may be able to survive with some help. During the warmer parts of the year, Hakone grass will need to be similarly protected from temperatures that are too high. 95-105℉ (35-40℃) is the top of this plant’s temperature range, and anything above that will compromise the integrity of the foliage and blooms of Hakone grass. Hotter temperatures can cause wilting, drooping, and even sunburn on the leaves, which can be difficult for Hakone grass to recover from. There are quite a few ways to combat this issue that are quick and easy!

If this is the first year of your Hakone grass outside as a new plant, then it may need a little extra tending during the coldest months of the year. Not only can frost more severely damage a first-year Hakone grass, but it can also prevent it from growing back as a healthy plant come spring. This plant needs to be kept at 40℉(5℃) or above when they’re not yet established, which can be done either by bringing your Hakone grass inside for a month or two, or putting up mulch or fabric barriers that protect from frost damage. It’s also a good idea to plant Hakone grass in a shadier spot during the first year or two, as smaller and weaker plants have a more difficult time maintaining their own temperatures in the heat. First-year Hakone grass should receive no more than five hours of direct sunlight per day, particularly if the ambient daytime temperature gets above 80℉(27℃). Shadecloth and frequent watering or misting are the keys to summer heat control.

If cold temperatures (below 15℉(-10℃)) do occur during the growing season, there are a few measures you can take to help protect Hakone grass from frost or cold damage. If you’re growing Hakone grass in a container, then the container can simply be brought inside in bright, indirect light until the temperatures rise up over the lower threshold again. Another option that’s better suited for ground-planted Hakone grass is to use mulch or horticultural fabric to create an insulated barrier around the plant, which will protect the plant from frost and cold wind. For temperatures that are hotter than 80℉(27℃) in the shade during the day, be careful to only expose Hakone grass to six hours or less of sunlight per day, preferably in the morning hours. Putting up shade cloth, or a fine plastic mesh, can help reduce the amount of direct sunlight that hits the plant during the hottest parts of the day. You can also install a misting system that allows for a slow release of cooling mist around the base of the plant during the day to lower ground temperatures.

During the cold winter months, Hakone grass needs a certain measure of cold in order to stay in dormancy until it’s time to sprout. Sprouting too early, that is before the danger of the last frost has passed, can be fatal to Hakone grass, especially if it’s already had a head start when the frost hits. Winter temperatures should ideally stay below 32℉(0℃), but if they get up to 40℉(5℃), everything will be just fine. An unexpected warm spell during the cold months, which can happen in more temperate climates like woodland rainforests, can trigger a premature sprout from Hakone grass. In this case, if there’s still imminent danger of frost, you may want to try covering it with clear plastic on stakes so that the cold has less of a chance of damaging the new sprout. This setup can be removed when the danger of frost has passed. Occasionally, Hakone grass will be able to resprout at the correct time without any help, but this method increases the chances of a successful second sprouting.

Why you need to fertilize Hakone grass is pretty simple. Your plant needs the extra nutrients to produce healthy new growth. The additional nutrients also support the health of old growth and can help your plant fight off diseases and pests.

Knowing when to fertilize Hakone grass is key for its survival in the garden. It’s not a heavy feeder and doesn’t require additional nutrients when it is dying back. While you can apply diluted fertilizer at the start of the growing season, it’s not recommended. Instead, put down some mulch or compost around the base of the plant.

Since you are not using packaged fertilizers, you don’t have to worry about when to stop feeding Hakone grass. A layer of compost or mulch in the spring will be more than enough to keep Hakone grass happy throughout the year. Don’t worry about mulching or composting in the winter when the plant is dormant.

You don’t need to rush out to the garden center to purchase a bag of fertilizer. Hakone grass doesn’t need the extra nutrients. Instead, you can put down a layer of compost in the spring. It will supply the plant with the necessary nutrients. If you mulch your garden yearly, the bark will also keep your plant fed and happy.

Whether you are using mulch or compost, the steps are the same for Hakone grass. Put down a layer of the material, making sure it covers the plant’s base. You may want to use both mediums, but if you do, reduce the amount of compost. Adding a layer of mulch can serve two purposes. It helps the soil retain moisture while also feeding your plant.

If you avoid using liquid or granulated plant food, you shouldn’t worry about over-fertilizing Hakone grass. If you are amending the soil with fertilizing, watch out for root burn. Too much nitrogen, and other nutrients in the soil, can burn sensitive roots causing the plant to start dying back.