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If you’re anything like me, you would prefer to spend your hard-earned dollars on a piece of decor you know is going to last. After discovering just how trendy and beautiful pampas grass was, I became more than a little obsessed. I took a deep dive and found out everything you would ever need to know about pampas grass, so you don’t have to. 

So, how long does pampas grass last once cut?

When properly maintained, pampas grass can last 3 years or more. 

Not too shabby for a plant right? You don’t even need to water it or give it sunlight! Pampas grass adds limitless class to any decor style. It’s an easy way to effortlessly achieve that “it” girl style and make your space feel more complete.

Once you learn just a few simple tips, you can keep your pampas grass looking as beautiful as ever for years to come!

How do you maintain pampas grass and keep it from shedding?

Pampas grass is really easy to take care of. The main thing people worry about is the shedding. To keep your pampas grass from shedding, give it a light coat of aerosol hairspray.

Most hairspray can work, but I personally used fave 4 texture takeover because it has a matte, not too sticky finish. You should be able to find it at any Sally’s Beauty Supply store.

Give it a few shakes and twirls to check how it’s holding up, and if it needs more, give it some more spray. You can also lightly use your fingers to fluff and comb the plumes to get them exactly how you want them. You’re not going to be able to eliminate shedding completely, but you can at least cut it down by about 90%.

Once you’ve got your pampas grass in place in the vase you’re going to keep it in, it really shouldn’t shed much at all. This is assuming you’re not messing with it, or you haven’t placed it in front of an air vent or drafty place.

You want to also be sure not to put any water in the vase with your pampas. They are a dried plant and you want to avoid getting them wet.

After about 6 months, you may want to give your pampas a little shake and an extra spritz of hairspray, just to dust them off and keep them looking their best.

To make sure your pampas last a long time, don’t keep them in direct sunlight or in a place that gets too much humidity or moisture. This could cause them to go moldy or decay. Also, try to keep them away from pets and children.

Why does pampas grass shed?

Pampas grass sheds because this is how they reproduce. The plumes, by their very nature, are actually made up of millions of seeds that will catch the wind and can travel up to 15 miles from the mother plant.

This is why pampas grass is actually illegal in some countries and states, including Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Hawaii. Because it is so prolific at reproducing, tolerant of intense sun, drought, and frost, it can easily take over the habitat of other native species and push them out.

If you do live in an area where pampas grass is restricted, fear not. There are actually pretty good faux pampas grass plants in production that you can use instead. 

Can pampas grass last forever?

While dried pampas grass won’t last forever, it can last for 3 years or more with proper care. The biggest things to watch out for are mishandling them, leaving them in direct sunlight, or leaving them in a damp or humid place

Why is my pampas grass not fluffy?

There are three possible reasons why your pampas grass isn’t fluffy. 

1. You haven’t gone through the proper steps to fluff your pampas grass after shipping.
2. The quality of the pampas you received is lacking. Sometimes the pampas aren’t harvested at the proper time or bad strands are picked.
3. You may have just gotten a stick of pampas that are naturally not very fluffy. Generally, the longer the length of plume you buy, the fluffier your pampas will be. However, it’s possible that some strands just aren’t as full as others. 

If it’s the first one, check out my following tips for making your pampas fluffy.

How do I make my pampas grass fluffy?

When you’ve received pampas grass that has been packed for shipping, the plumes will inevitably be a bit squished and not so fluffy. Don’t fret, making them beautiful again is easy.

Here are a few things you can try:

• Start by taking the pampas outside or somewhere you can make a little mess, and give them a few good shakes to get rid of the excess plumes.
• To get your pampas really fluffy, you can try putting them outside on a sunny, not too windy day, and leaving them there for a few hours (I’ve even left mine out for over 24 hours and have gotten very good results!) Just be careful not to let them get wet or put them in strong winds that could break the branches.
• If the above option isn’t possible, you can also try using a hairdryer on a low, cool setting, and blowing the plumes out by aiming from the top down. Again, be aware that pampas naturally do shed, so be prepared for that. Don’t worry – you’re not going to blow all of the plumes off. *It is best to do this outside.
• You can also gently pull the plumes apart with your fingers. 
• Another useful trick is to put the pampas in between your hands and roll the stem between your palms back and forth. Imagine you’re rubbing your palms together like a cartoon villain or you’re trying to start a fire with sticks. Don’t be too aggressive but give them a good spin. 
• If nothing else, know that by taking the pampas out and leaving them out in their vase for 24-48 hours, the plumes will naturally open up.

I personally like to leave my pampas grass outside as long as I can. After about 24-48 hours they will reach their max fluffiness. I have tried hanging them upside down (using some rubber bands and S hooks to hang them from my string lights), laying them flat, and putting them upright in a sturdy vase. 

I thought hanging upside down would be the best method, but I actually preferred the look of the ones that were laid flat or put upright in a vase. If you want a strand that has a nice side drooping effect, I would lay them flat. If you want one with an even fluffiness on all sides, put them upright.

Where can I buy fluffy pampas grass?

This 48″ Fluffy Pampas Grass on Amazon comes in 25-30″ plume lengths and 30″ plus plume lengths and is the fluffiest pampas grass on the market.

Conclusion

To summarize, pampas grass can last for 3 years or more with proper care. This includes preventing shedding by sealing the pampas with hairspray, keeping them out of direct sunlight, keeping them out of humid environments, and avoiding getting them wet. All natural pampas grass sheds because this is how it reproduces. Pampas grass can flatten after being shipped but can be made fluffy again by putting them out in the sun or using a hairdryer.

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I’d like to hear from you. Have you had your pampas grass for a long time? Do you have any care tips or advice? Leave a comment below!

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