Japanese Blood Grass – Desert Horizon Nursery

Japanese Blood Grass

Imperata cylindrica 'Rubra'
Categories:
Grasses  ·  
Grasses
Light
Morning sun / afternoon shade
Water
Moderate to high water needs in Phoenix; keep the root zone evenly moist but not waterlogged. Not suitable for low-water desert planting.
Size
1-2 ft tall × 1-2 ft wide
Habit
Clumping grass
Toxicity
Non-toxic
Description
Japanese blood grass usually refers to the red-leaved cultivar ‘Rubra’ or ‘Red Baron’ of Imperata cylindrica, an upright ornamental grass. The green species is invasive cogongrass; cultivar identity and legal status are important.
Bloom Time
Non-flowering (grown for foliage)
Deciduous / Evergreen
Deciduous
Special Features
Growth Rate
Moderate
Growth Habit
Clumping grass
Mature Size
1-2 ft tall × 1-2 ft wide
Flower Color
None (grown for foliage)
Foliage Color
Green with red tips / deepening to blood-red in cooler months
Landscape Use
Border / Bed, Container / Patio
Garden Style
Container / Patio
Soil
Amended / Rich, Moist Soil, Sandy / Rocky, Well-Drained
Companion Plants
Liriope, Society garlic, Where cultivation is permitted
Non-toxic
Non-toxic
Care Instructions

Light: Morning sun with afternoon shade in Phoenix. Strong light improves red coloring, but intense afternoon sun and reflected heat can scorch foliage.

Water: Moderate to high water needs in Phoenix; keep the root zone evenly moist but not waterlogged. Not suitable for low-water desert planting.

Soil: Moist, well-drained soil enriched with compost. Avoid compacted soil, standing water, and excessively dry gravel beds.

Mature size: Typically 1–2 feet tall and 1–2 feet wide initially; underground rhizomes can spread beyond the original planting.

Bloom: Red cultivars rarely flower; any blooms generally appear in late spring or summer.

Evergreen / deciduous: Generally deciduous to semi-evergreen in mild winters; foliage may brown and die back during cold weather or stress.

Growth rate: Moderate for red cultivars with adequate moisture; green reversions can spread aggressively.