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How to Dry Pampas Grass Download ArticleExplore this Article IN THIS ARTICLE 1 Cut pampas stems close to the ground. 2 Trim and prune the stems. 3 Wrap the stems together. 4 Hang the stems upside down for 2 to 3 weeks. 5 Shake and fluff the plumes. 6 Spray the stems with hair spray. 7 Arrange and style your pampas. + Show 4 more... - Show less... Other Sections Tips and Warnings Related Articles Expert Interview References Co-authored by Jeanne Walker and Dan Hickey
Last Updated: January 18, 2024 References
Download Article X
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 22,773 times.
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.
Steps
1
Cut pampas stems close to the ground.
Download Article
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]XResearch source
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]XResearch source
Make sure there’s no wildlife, like rodents or snakes, sheltering in your pampas patch before you start cutting.[3]XResearch source
Advertisement 2
Trim and prune the stems.
Download Article
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]XResearch source 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]XResearch source
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!
3
Wrap the stems together.
Download Article
Use string, wire, or a rubber band to tie your pampas stems together. Any material you have on hand will work. Make multiple “bouquets” or bundles of about 3 or 4 stems each, depending on how many stems you’re drying.[6]XResearch source
Some people leave their stems separate for better air circulation while they dry. Either method works, but hanging individual stems takes up more space.
Advertisement 4
Hang the stems upside down for 2 to 3 weeks.
Download Article
Hang your bundles from hangers, hooks, or branches to dry them. Use string, wire, dental floss, or any material you have to hang up your bundles. Choose a space like a shed, garage, basement, or closet that’s warm, dry, and has good air circulation.[7]XResearch source
Keep the pampas bundles upside down to preserve their shape and color for longer.[8]X Expert Source Jeanne WalkerFloristExpert Interview
5
Shake and fluff the plumes.
Download Article
Remove loose leaves and fluff up the plumage with your fingers. Style and shape the plumes however you like, being careful not to rustle the plant too hard and cause more plumage to fall off. Make sure to do this before spraying the pampas (it’ll be harder to shape afterward).[9]XResearch source
Make small adjustments if you want a vertical, thin looking plume. Fluff more and bend the stalk if you want a more natural droop.
Advertisement 6
Spray the stems with hair spray.
Download Article
Spray the plumes all over to preserve them and prevent shedding. Any inexpensive hair spray will work—spray thoroughly to eliminate shedding and keep the shape of your plumes full. This is extra important if you plan on placing pampas in a high-traffic area, like hallways or on doors.[10]X Expert Source Jeanne WalkerFloristExpert Interview
Alternatively, apply plant sealant spray in place of hair spray.
Dried and sprayed pampas rarely sheds when it’s undisturbed. Shedding happens when the stems are moved or there’s a breeze from doors closing, fans, or foot traffic.
7
Arrange and style your pampas.
Download Article
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).[11]XResearch source
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.[12]XResearch source
Keep dried pampas decor away from direct sunlight, humidity, and pets to extend its life.
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Expert Q&A
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Tips
Respray your pampas grass with hair spray every 6 months to maintain their shape and fluffiness. Respray more frequently if you notice shedding or drooping.[13]XResearch sourceThanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Properly dried and maintained pampas grass can last up to 3 years or longer. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Purchase pre-dried pampas online or from gardening and decor shops to skip the drying process and jump straight into decorating. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
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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]XResearch sourceThanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
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Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about pampas grass, check out our in-depth interview with Jeanne Walker.
Co-authored by: Jeanne Walker 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 22,773 times. 11 votes - 93% Co-authors: 5Updated: January 18, 2024 Views: 22,773 Categories: Landscaping
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Reader Success Stories
Tracy Wroe
Oct 10, 2022
"I have to preserve freshly cut pampas for 18 months before I use it for a wedding. This info has been very helpful, thank you."..." more
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Yes No Advertisement If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission.Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Jeanne Walker Florist Co-authors: 5Updated: January 18, 2024 Views: 22,77393% of readers found this article helpful. 11 votes - 93% Click a star to add your vote
Tracy Wroe
Oct 10, 2022
"I have to preserve freshly cut pampas for 18 months before I use it for a wedding. This info has been very helpful, thank you."..." more Share yours!
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Download Article Explore this Article IN THIS ARTICLE 1 Cut pampas stems close to the ground. 2 Trim and prune the stems. 3 Wrap the stems together. 4 Hang the stems upside down for 2 to 3 weeks. 5 Shake and fluff the plumes. 6 Spray the stems with hair spray. 7 Arrange and style your pampas. + Show 4 more... - Show less... Other Sections Tips and Warnings Related Articles Expert Interview References Co-authored by Jeanne Walker and Dan Hickey 
The 8 Best Ways to Preserve Flowers at Home 
3 Ways to Dry & Preserve Flowers in a Jar: Air-Drying, Silica & Wax 
How to Save Flower Petals: Pressing, Air-drying, & Dehydrating 
How toPreserve Flowers in a Book 
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Co-authored by: Jeanne Walker 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 22,773 times. 11 votes - 93% Co-authors: 5 Updated: January 18, 2024 Views: 22,773 Categories: Landscaping 
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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] 
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] 
Use string, wire, or a rubber band to tie your pampas stems together. Any material you have on hand will work. Make multiple “bouquets” or bundles of about 3 or 4 stems each, depending on how many stems you’re drying.[6] 
Hang your bundles from hangers, hooks, or branches to dry them. Use string, wire, dental floss, or any material you have to hang up your bundles. Choose a space like a shed, garage, basement, or closet that’s warm, dry, and has good air circulation.[7] 
Remove loose leaves and fluff up the plumage with your fingers. Style and shape the plumes however you like, being careful not to rustle the plant too hard and cause more plumage to fall off. Make sure to do this before spraying the pampas (it’ll be harder to shape afterward).[9] 
Spray the plumes all over to preserve them and prevent shedding. Any inexpensive hair spray will work—spray thoroughly to eliminate shedding and keep the shape of your plumes full. This is extra important if you plan on placing pampas in a high-traffic area, like hallways or on doors.[10] 
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).[11] 
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