Skip to content
Log inStart trial

Giant Reed, Arundo Reed

Arundo Donax

Design with this plant

Overview

Arundo donax, commonly called Giant Reed, is a fast-growing perennial reaching up to 20 feet in height. It forms dense stands with cane-like stems of 0.75 to 1 inch in diameter, featuring lush, lanceolate leaves up to 24 inches long. Suitable for zones 6-10, this reed thrives in full sun and moist soil, often used for screening and erosion control. Note its invasive potential and consider responsible management practices.

Sun Full, HalfWater High, MediumZones 6–10Type GrassClimate Arid, Mediterranean
Giant Reed, Arundo Reed (Arundo Donax) — well-drained loams but maintains a hardy disposition; it forms dense stands with cane-like stems of 0.75 to 1 inch in
Giant Reed, Arundo Reed (Arundo Donax) — lanceolate leaves that can grow up to 2 feet long and about 2 to 3 inches wideGiant Reed, Arundo Reed (Arundo Donax) — effortlessly becoming a focal point in spacious gardens and larger landscape designsGiant Reed, Arundo Reed (Arundo Donax) — Arundo donax, commonly called Giant Reed, is a fast-growing perennial reaching up to 20 feet in height, image 76Giant Reed, Arundo Reed (Arundo Donax) — With its towering presence and lush foliageGiant Reed, Arundo Reed (Arundo Donax) — Known for its tall stature, this species can soar impressively to heights between 20 to 30 feetGiant Reed, Arundo Reed (Arundo Donax) — Its rapid growth and vigorous root system enable this species to outcompete local flora; white flowers in, image 68+90

Culture

Sun
Full, Half
Water
High, Medium
USDA zones
6–10

Shape & size

Classification

Type
Grass
Family
Poaceae
Climate
Arid, Mediterranean

See full data, regional cultivation notes, and design tools. Build a client presentation around this plant.

Start your 14-day trial

Photos (97)

Giant Reed, Arundo Reed (Arundo Donax) — well-drained loams but maintains a hardy disposition; it forms dense stands with cane-like stems of 0.75 to 1 inch in
Giant Reed, Arundo Reed (Arundo Donax) — lanceolate leaves that can grow up to 2 feet long and about 2 to 3 inches wide
Giant Reed, Arundo Reed (Arundo Donax) — effortlessly becoming a focal point in spacious gardens and larger landscape designs
Giant Reed, Arundo Reed (Arundo Donax) — Arundo donax, commonly called Giant Reed, is a fast-growing perennial reaching up to 20 feet in height, image 76
Giant Reed, Arundo Reed (Arundo Donax) — With its towering presence and lush foliage
Giant Reed, Arundo Reed (Arundo Donax) — Known for its tall stature, this species can soar impressively to heights between 20 to 30 feet
Giant Reed, Arundo Reed (Arundo Donax) — Its rapid growth and vigorous root system enable this species to outcompete local flora; white flowers in, image 68
Giant Reed, Arundo Reed (Arundo Donax) — grass for full or half
Giant Reed, Arundo Reed (Arundo Donax) — effortlessly becoming a focal point in spacious gardens and larger landscape designs; arundo donax, commonly called
Giant Reed, Arundo Reed (Arundo Donax) — Arundo donax, commonly called Giant Reed, is a fast-growing perennial reaching up to 20 feet in height
Giant Reed, Arundo Reed (Arundo Donax) — effortlessly becoming a focal point in spacious gardens and larger landscape designs; arundo donax, image 72
Giant Reed, Arundo Reed (Arundo Donax) — often used for screening and erosion control
Giant Reed, Arundo Reed (Arundo Donax) — Full sun exposure is key to achieving its full growth potential; capable of withstanding brief periods of drought once
Giant Reed, Arundo Reed (Arundo Donax) — It forms dense stands with cane-like stems of 0.75 to 1 inch in diameter; in late summer to early fall, image 77
Giant Reed, Arundo Reed (Arundo Donax) — Known for its tall stature, this species can soar impressively to heights between 20 to 30 feet, image 58
Giant Reed, Arundo Reed (Arundo Donax) — lanceolate leaves that can grow up to 2 feet long and about 2 to 3 inches wide; full sun exposure is key to achieving
Giant Reed, Arundo Reed (Arundo Donax) — Note its invasive potential and consider responsible management practices; ornamental touch.<br><br>Adaptable to a
Giant Reed, Arundo Reed (Arundo Donax) — grass with white blooms; well-drained loams but maintains a hardy disposition
Giant Reed, Arundo Reed (Arundo Donax) — lanceolate leaves that can grow up to 2 feet long and about 2 to 3 inches wide; full sun exposure is key, image 60
Giant Reed, Arundo Reed (Arundo Donax) — grass with white blooms
Giant Reed, Arundo Reed (Arundo Donax) — capable of withstanding brief periods of drought once established
Giant Reed, Arundo Reed (Arundo Donax) — well-drained loams but maintains a hardy disposition; it forms dense stands with cane-like stems of 0.75, image 65
Giant Reed, Arundo Reed (Arundo Donax) — white flowers in the garden
Giant Reed, Arundo Reed (Arundo Donax) — often used for screening and erosion control; the Giant Reed, or Arundo donax, is a robust, perennial grass that
Photographs by 13 contributors

Related plants

Adagio Eulalia Grass (Miscanthus Sinensis 'Adagio') — Adagio Eulalia Grass (Miscanthus sinensis 'Adagio') is a compact ornamental grass reaching 3 to 4 feet

Grass

Adagio Eulalia Grass

Miscanthus Sinensis 'Adagio'

FullUSDA 4–9
Alkali Sacaton (Sporobolus Airoides) — It flourishes in arid zones, reaching 3 feet in height with an equal spread

Grass

Alkali Sacaton

Sporobolus Airoides

FullUSDA 6–10
Alphonse Karr Bamboo (Bambusa Multiplex 'Alphonse Karr') — is a visually striking clumping bamboo; making it an excellent choice for residential gardens

Bamboo

Alphonse Karr Bamboo

Bambusa Multiplex 'Alphonse Karr'

FullUSDA 9–10
Amur Or Silver Banner Grass (Miscanthus Sacchariflorus) — textural contrast to the landscape

Grass

Amur Or Silver Banner Grass

Miscanthus Sacchariflorus

FullUSDA 5–9
'Apache Rose' Switch Grass (Panicum virgatum) — Proven Winners - Prairie Winds® 'Apache Rose' - Switch Grass - Panicum virgatum pink tan rose plant details

'Apache Rose' Switch Grass

Panicum virgatum

Full
Atlas Fescue (Festuca mairei) — This low-maintenance perennial thrives in full sun to partial shade and adapts well to dry conditions

Grass

Atlas Fescue

Festuca mairei

FullUSDA 4–9