Best Way to Remove Pampas Grass

Cut back pampas grass to 45cm using a sharp cordless hedge trimmer, then secure stems with a 5m tie-down strap 30cm above the cut. Wear gloves, long sleeves, and safety glasses while using a brushcutter with blade for clean cuts. Dig out the entire root crown-up to 13 feet wide-using a mattock or spade, reaching 30–45cm deep. Remove every fragment, as even 5cm pieces can regrow. Apply glyphosate to the fresh cut stump and bag all debris. There’s more to get right.

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Notable Insights

• Cut back pampas grass stems to 45cm above ground using a sharpened hedge trimmer or brushcutter for safe, clean cuts.
• Bundle stems securely with a tie-down strap 30cm above the cut line to control foliage during removal.
• Dig out the entire root crown to a depth of 30–45cm, exposing and removing all rhizomes to prevent regrowth.
• Apply glyphosate directly to the freshly cut crown to kill remaining root tissue and stop sprouting.
• Replace with non-invasive ornamental grasses like switchgrass or muhly grass to maintain landscape appeal safely.

Cut Down Pampas Grass With a Hedge Trimmer

While tackling pampas grass may seem intimidating, using a clean, sharpened cordless hedge cutter makes the job manageable and efficient. You’ll want to cut them back to about 45cm (1.5 feet) above ground level, which weakens the plant without disturbing roots. First, wrap a 5m tie down strap 30cm (1 foot) above the cut line to bundle stems-this keeps things tidy and stops the hedge cutter from jamming. Use the hedge cutter from the top down, leaning the bundle upward so clippings fall away and don’t overload the blades. Start by trimming plume stems to prevent seeds from spreading. Wear gloves, long sleeves, long trousers, a hat, and safety glasses-those leaves are sharp. Never use a chainsaw near soil; it’ll blunt fast and clog up. With this method, you’ll clear thick stands safely, efficiently, and with minimal strain on your body or equipment.

Use the Right Tools to Remove Pampas Grass Safely

Safety starts with the right tools, and when you’re taking on pampas grass, having the proper gear isn’t just smart-it’s essential. To kill pampas grass safely, you’ll need more than just strength; you need precision and protection. Use the right tools to avoid injury and make the job faster. Wear gloves, long sleeves, long trousers, a hat, and safety glasses-those leaf edges are sharp. Secure the bundle with a 5m tie-down strap 30cm above ground before cutting. A powered hedge or brush cutter with a blade slices through stems cleanly-skip chainsaws near soil to avoid damage.

Dig Out the Pampas Grass Root Crown Completely

Once you’ve cut back the tall foliage and secured the base with a tie-down strap, it’s time to get underground-because if you don’t dig out the entire root crown, you’re just wasting your effort. Start by digging around the base to a depth of 30–45 cm, using a round mouth spade or mattock in a segmented pattern. Focus on fully exposing the crown, which can spread up to 13 feet wide and 11 feet deep. After you remove the top growth, loosen the soil beneath and slide a fork, mini digger, or telehandler under the clump’s center to lift the root ball. Use a flat pickaxe or 3kg mattock for horizontal undercuts to slice through tough rhizomes. Make sure you extract every crown fragment-any remaining piece in contact with soil can re-sprout. A complete crown and root ball removal stops regrowth before it starts.

Stop Pampas Grass From Regrowing After Removal

You’ve cut back the blades and hauled out the bulk of the root ball, but your work isn’t done-pampas grass fights back hard if you skip the follow-up. To stop new growth, act fast. Apply glyphosate directly to the freshly cut crown, ensuring the herbicide seeps into the core. Even small root fragments-just 5 cm-left in the soil can sprout around the base, so be thorough. Seal all debris in garbage bags; never compost it, as plume bits can release thousands of seeds or regrow. Check weekly for regrowth.

Stay alert, and you’ll win the fight.

Choose Non-Invasive Grasses to Replace Pampas Grass

Consider switching to switchgrass (*Panicum virgatum*), a resilient and non-invasive alternative that reaches 3–7 feet tall and grows well in USDA zones 5–9, giving you the same bold look without the aggressive spread. ‘Northwind’ switchgrass delivers stiff, blue-green blades and upright summer plumes, standing 5–6 feet tall with a strong vertical shape that holds up through rain and wind, making it ideal for structured garden borders. If you’re after a new standout, try ‘Cheyenne Sky’-its foliage turns wine red in summer and stays interesting through winter, maxing out at 3–4 feet. For a really big impact, Big Bluestem (*Andropogon gerardii*) soars 4–8 feet, thrives in zones 4–9, and shifts color from green to bronze in fall. Muhly grass (*Muhlenbergia capillaris*) adds softness with airy pink or white fall plumes, stays 2–3 feet tall, and handles poor, sandy, or rocky soils in zones 5–9.

On a final note

Cut pampas grass with a heavy-duty hedge trimmer, then dig out the entire root crown, usually 12–18 inches deep, to stop regrowth. Use a sharp spade for clean edges, and dispose of roots in sealed bags. For persistent shoots, apply glyphosate carefully with a sponge brush. Replace with non-invasive ornamentals like miscanthus or switchgrass. Wear gloves and long sleeves-blades are sharp. Testers confirm full removal takes 2–3 follow-ups, but diligence pays off.