Compare plants.

Maiden grass and Eastern gamagrass: growing conditions and wildlife benefits.

COMMON CHOICE Maiden grass Miscanthus sinensis	NATIVE ALTERNATIVE Eastern gamagrass Tripsacum dactyloides
	GO NATIVE
Native range
Eastern Asia	Central & E. U.S.A. to Ecuador, Caribbean to N. South America.See state guides
Sunlight
Full sun to part shade	Full sun
Soil moisture
Average moisture; tolerates dry or occasionally wet soil	Moist to wet / Average moisture
Mature height
4–12 ft	4–6 ft
Mature spread
4–6 ft	2–4 ft
USDA hardiness zones
5–9	6–9
Season of interest
Late summer–fall plumes; winter structure	Summer
Garden & wildlife value
Birds are attracted to its seeds.	Native grass clumps shelter quail, feed seed-eating birds, and host skipper caterpillars.
Growing notes
A tall, clumping grass that can spread by seed. Size and seed production vary among cultivars.	A large warm-season grass that needs room; moist, fertile soil supports strong growth.
Growing information	Growing information Native range: Kew

Sizes describe the species; individual cultivars can differ.