Soil: Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil. Tolerant of a wide range of soils from well-drained sandy soils to the heavy clay..
Light: Best in full sun. Less vigorous with decreased flowering, and tendency to flop in too much shade. Tolerant of summer heat and humidity.
Water: Medium -- Prefers moist soils, but once established, it's drought tolerant.
Spacing: 3 - 4 ft.
Fertilizing: Small amounts of fertilizer are needed for ornamental grasses. Too much fertilizer will increase the nitrogen level, and that can lead to lodging or flopping over. The best time for applying fertilizer is in the spring, just as growth is resuming. About one -quarter cup, per item, of a 10-10-10 slow release fertilizer is enough to take care of the plant needs throughout the entire summer. For best results, make sure you thoroughly water in the fertilizer.
Winterizing: Foliage should be left standing throughout the winter for visual interest, and to provide protection for the crowns.
Maintenance & Pruning: Cut foliage to a 6 to 12-inch-tall mound of stubble in late winter before new shoots appear. Older clumps tend to die in the center, leading to an unattractive shape and appearance. Frequency of division depends on species, soil fertility and exposure, but dividing every third year is a safe rule of thumb for most species. This should be done in late fall or early spring when the plant is dormant. 'Variegatus' is considered to be a medium maintenance plant, because mature plants usually need staking.