Cogon grass ‘Rubra’ (Imperata cylindrica ‘Rubra’)

Cogon grass ‘Rubra’ (Imperata cylindrica ‘Rubra’) is a grass plant that can grow 10cm – 50cm tall and 10cm – 50cm wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant Cogon grass ‘Rubra’ (Imperata cylindrica ‘Rubra’).
This plant has several common names including: cogon grass ‘Rubra’ or Japanese blood grass.
This is a deciduous plant that takes 2-5 years to reach full maturity.
In this article
Plant profile
Common name: cogon grass ‘Rubra’, Japanese blood grass
Scientific name: Imperata cylindrica ‘Rubra’
Plant type: Grasses
Habit: Tufted
Height: 10cm – 50cm
Spread: 10cm – 50cm
Foliage: Deciduous
Sunlight: Full Sun, Partial shade
Soil: Clay, Loam
Moisture: Moist but well drained, Well drained
Garden type: City & Courtyard Gardens, Informal Garden
Planting type: Flower borders and bedding, Low Maintenance
Seasonal colors
Season | Stem | Foliage | Flower | Fruit |
---|---|---|---|---|
Spring | ||||
Summer | ||||
Autumn | ||||
Winter |

How to plant Cogon grass ‘Rubra’ (Imperata cylindrica ‘Rubra’) – Photo by David J. Stang, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
How to plant
In this section we will learn how to plant Cogon grass ‘Rubra’ (Imperata cylindrica ‘Rubra’), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.
Soil
Cogon grass ‘Rubra’ (Imperata cylindrica ‘Rubra’) is a plant that prefers to grow in clay or loam.
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Clay soil is composed of more than 25 percent clay particles. These particles have a high moisture holding capacity and the soil is heavy to dig and can be waterlogged in winter (dry in summer).
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The loam soil is dark, rich in organic matter but balanced in minerals. It offers the best of all worlds, retaining enough water for the plants, but allowing excess moisture to drain away. This is the most desired type of garden soil, perfect for most plants.
It is not very sensitive to soil acidity or alkalinity and grows well in soils with pH acid, alkaline or neutral.
Regarding drainage, Imperata cylindrica ‘Rubra’ likes to grow in moist but well drained or well drained soils.
Sunlight
Cogon grass ‘Rubra’ (Imperata cylindrica ‘Rubra’) is a plant that should be grown in full sun or partial shade positions.

Cultivation profiles – Growing Cogon grass ‘Rubra’ (Imperata cylindrica ‘Rubra’) – Daderot, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons