How to Grow Parnassia Plants

Guide to Growing Grass of Parnassus and Bog-Star

Parnassia is a hardy perennial that reaches from 20 to 45 cm (8 to 18 inches) in height.

They bloom in the summer, carrying white saucer shaped flowers. Plants have attractive heart shaped leaf foliage.

Parnassia palustris by DenaliNPS.

One of the common names for Parnassia is Grass of Parnassus.

How to Grow Grass of Parnassus

When growing Grass of Parnassus from seed it is best to grow outdoors in its final location.

The plants like to grow in swampy (or very moist) conditions. They are able to grow in a sunny or lightly shaded part of the garden.

Ideally the soil should be ever so slightly acidic to neutral (pH 6 to 7) and rich.

The Parnassia seeds should be sown on the surface of flats using fresh seed at the end of summer. The flats should then be sunk into a shady part of the garden.

Germination can take from one to six months.

Once the Grass of Parnassus seedlings have grown to a stage where they have five leaves, they should be transplanted into peat pots, and relocated to an area of light shade. The pots should be watered from below.

In the autumn, the plants can be transplanted into the garden with a spacing of about 15 to 20 cm (6 to 8 inches).

Caring for Parnassia

It is easy to look after Parnassia, they prefer the soil to be moist or swampy so water regularly. Additionally, the plants should be mulched in the spring to keep them cool.

It is recommended to divide the plants every three or four years to maintain vigour.

If you require more grass of Parnassus plants then they can be propagated by division immediately after flowering has finished.

I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Parnassia plants. You may also enjoy the following Gardener's HQ growing guides: How to grow Euonymus-fortunei, Liriope muscari, and Dioscorea plants.