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Maiden grass and ʻAkiʻaki: growing conditions and wildlife benefits.

COMMON CHOICE Maiden grass Miscanthus sinensis	NATIVE ALTERNATIVE ʻAkiʻaki Sporobolus virginicus
	GO NATIVE
Native range
Eastern Asia	Hawaiian native range: Niʻihau, Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Maui, Kahoʻolawe, Hawaiʻi, Northwest Islands.See state guides
Sunlight
Full sun to part shade	Full sun
Soil moisture
Average moisture; tolerates dry or occasionally wet soil	Dry soil / Average moisture
Mature height
4–12 ft	Under 1–2½ ft
Mature spread
4–6 ft	2–10+ ft
USDA hardiness zones
5–9	Choose by island, elevation, and rainfall.
Season of interest
Late summer–fall plumes; winter structure	Year-round grass texture
Garden & wildlife value
Birds are attracted to its seeds.	Spreading native grass helps protect exposed coastal soil.
Growing notes
A tall, clumping grass that can spread by seed. Size and seed production vary among cultivars.	Give its rhizomes room; it is not a close-mown turf substitute. Water until established.
Growing information	Growing information

Sizes describe the species; individual cultivars can differ.