Little Kitten Maiden Grass
Miscanthus sinensis 'Little Kitten'
Little Kitten Maiden Grass, Nursery-Grown in 3 Gallon
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- Compact 12-18 inch height fits borders, containers, and small spaces
- Coppery-pink plumes in late summer age to silver; foliage turns golden in fall
- Hardy zones 5-9; deer-resistant and drought-tolerant once established
About this plant
Little Kitten is a compact warm-season ornamental grass that brings delicate coppery-pink plumes and fine-textured foliage to small gardens. It thrives in borders, rock gardens, and containers, making it perfect for foundation plantings and mass displays. Deer-resistant and low-maintenance once established, this Miscanthus variety reaches just 12-18 inches tall, fitting spaces where larger ornamental grasses won't work.
Your nursery-grown plant arrives in a 3-gallon container, ready for immediate planting. Choose a spot with full sun for best flowers and form. Once planted, water regularly for the first 2-3 weeks to help it settle into your garden. After establishment, this grass tolerates moderate drought and adapts to most well-drained soils.
Little Kitten Maiden Grass at a glance
| Botanical name | Miscanthus sinensis 'Little Kitten' |
|---|---|
| Plant type | ornamental grass (herbaceous perennial, warm-season) |
| USDA zones | 5-9 |
| Mature height | 12-18 in (foliage mound), flower plumes may push to about 20-24 in |
| Mature width | 12-18 in |
| Sun | full sun to part sun (best form and bloom in full sun) |
| Water | average, regular moisture until established; moderate drought tolerance once mature |
| Bloom time | late summer into fall (typically August-October, varies by region) |
| Bloom color | coppery-pink to reddish plumes aging to creamy tan/silver |
| Growth rate | moderate; reaches mature clump size in about 2-3 growing seasons |
| Deer resistance | good (deer generally avoid ornamental grasses) |
| Best planting time | spring is preferred; fall planting possible in milder zones with enough establishment time before frost |
Container sizes explained
| #1 / 1 Gallon | A trade one gallon pot (about 6.5 inches). One to two seasons older than a quart, with an established root system. |
|---|---|
| #2 / 2 Gallon | A trade two gallon pot. Common for peonies and perennials that need root room; usually blooms the first or second year. |
| #3 / 3 Gallon | A trade three gallon pot (about 10 inches). A well-developed shrub or small tree, often 2 to 4 feet tall on arrival. |
Questions before you buy
What size is this plant?
This plant arrives in a 3-gallon nursery container, well-suited to Little Kitten's compact mature size. It establishes quickly and remains manageable for containers or garden beds.
When should I plant this after it arrives?
Plant immediately upon arrival for best results. Little Kitten adapts well to spring through early fall planting. Water regularly for the first 2-3 weeks to ensure good establishment.
How big does Little Kitten Maiden Grass get?
The foliage mound reaches 12-18 inches tall and wide at maturity, with flower plumes extending to about 20-24 inches. It reaches full mature size in 2-3 growing seasons.
How much sun does this grass need?
Little Kitten thrives in full sun to part sun, though full sun brings the best flower production and most compact form. In very hot climates, afternoon shade can be helpful.
Which zones can I grow this in?
Little Kitten Maiden Grass is hardy in USDA zones 5-9, covering most of the continental United States from cold northern regions to warm southern climates.
What care does it need during its first year?
Water regularly for the first 2-3 weeks after planting to establish strong roots. Once settled, it tolerates moderate drought and adapts to average, well-drained soil. This variety typically blooms by its second growing season.