Have you ever wondered what the heck that white fluffy stuff people are decorating with in their homes and you can’t help but see it all over Pinterest and Instagram these days? For the longest time I thought it was some kind of feather from a huge bird or something – boy, was I wrong!
What is pampas?
Pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana) is a reedlike grass that is native to areas like southern South America. It comes in various colors, but most commonly is seen in a silvery white color. It’s super easy to grow, but watch out! – it can take over everything in your garden, as it is an invasive plant that can get very large.
Let’s talk pampas!
Pampas has become more popular with its boho-chic vibes and is honestly a great dried floral to keep around the house all year round with it’s neutral tones and textures. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on some pampas of my own, but I was very hesitant to buy it online, especially after reading some disappointing reviews of how little they were. Living in Southern California, this place is a breeding ground for pampas and I suddenly realized it was everywhere! It’s kind of like when get a certain colored car, then become very aware of the same colored cars around you now that you are paying more attention.
Anyway, that’s besides the point. Here are some easy steps to preserve your fresh pampas to turn it into a boho-chic floral arrangement that is great for party’s, photoshoot, or just to decorate your home for any season!
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Step 1: Cutting fresh pampas
If you are a pampas virgin and have never encountered this plant before, here’s your first tip – wear long sleeves! When I first tried cutting pampas, I didn’t do my research and got a bunch of tiny cuts all over my forearms and wrists. The grass blades are serrated and they leave your arms red, itchy, and looking like you just got attacked by a cat.
Make sure to use pruning sheers for a quicker and clean cut – I used a pocket knife the first time and well…it got the job done. I would recommend cutting the stem 12-20 inches below the base of the pampas. The stems can be cut shorter later on, so it’s always better to give yourself some margin.
Step 2: Remove the husk
Next, you’ll want to remove the green husk surrounding the stem below the base of the pampas. I would recommend to unravel it, rather than pulling it off like a cornhusk. This can cause the stem to break – like a straw that you bang on the table to get out of the paper sleeve…yeah we’ve all broken a straw that way at one time.
Step 3: Wash & Dry
Sometime there can be ants or other bugs hiding in the husk of the pampas, so it’s always good to rise the pampas with the hose outside. Once they are rinsed to your satisfaction, hang them upside down to air dry. I used a wire hanger and rubber bands to secure the stems. You could also use a clothes line or string to hang them, securing the stems with rubber bands.
I have read to hang them up in a cool dry place for 3 weeks. Since it never rains where I live and it’s pretty dry, I just hung them up outside for 2 days where they got sun most of the day, then brought them inside for 2 more days. When the green in the stems is no longer visible, this is an indicator that they are dried out and ready to be used.
Step 4: Shake, Spray, Display!
Now the fun part come! I would recommend doing this step outside, as it can get a little messy. You will need a blow dryer and a can of hairspray. Remove the pampas from drying upside down and give it a good shake to remove any loose fluff (don’t shake too much, you don’t want to remove all of the fluff…we like the fluff).
Individually, rotate the pampas stems while using the blow dryer on a low to medium heat to fluff the pampas. When finished, lightly spray the pampas with hairspray to keep the particles from falling off.
Display your pampas!
The neutral colors and beautiful texture of pampas is the perfect boho-chic vibe to brighten up any space in your home or use in a floral arrangement for any party. When needed, freshen up your pampas with a little blow out and hairspray to bring it back to life! Now go make your space fabulous with these tips and tricks!
Rachel Sopak 
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