Not sure about the salt, but give it plenty of room! Little Zebra isn't quite as little as I thought it was going to be, approx. 5' w/plumes in its 2nd year. It is also much wider than I anticipated and has swallowed several nearby plants. I love it though, despite being not-so-little!

I'd maybe wrap the pot if you're expecting bitter cold and wait to plant that sucker until late spring. Warm season growers do not respond particularly well to fall transplant -- especially if you live in an area where winter conditions may be challenging. That's my take.

I'd bury the pot. I lost a container Miscanthus last year, and my winters are a good deal milder than yours. Plant it, pot and all, and then dig out the pot and install the plant next spring.

what's the difference between putting it straight in the ground or leaving it in the pot?

Thanks so much for the advice! I have the perfect spot where it will get winter sun, but at the same time be shielded from any blustering winds!

This is an old thread, but I'm wondering if any of you grass experts can answer the question posed by creamgogo...

"what's the difference between putting it straight in the ground or leaving it in the pot?"

I'd like to know because I just picked up some "Little Kitten" and "Little Zebra" on sale and was planning on planting in my zone 5 garden now. Thanks.

The biggest difference between installing the plant and burying the pot, is damage to the feeder roots. This is very late in the year to be planting any warm season grass. In a short time, the plant will go into dormancy, and it's roots will not grow during that period. Therefore, it will not establish itself until the spring, when the growth begins again. In the nursery pot, the roots are already established. They are taking up water and nutrients. If you disturb them by removing the plant from the pot and installing it, you will damage some of that uptake ability.

Okay, so I'm better off leaving them in the pot. Thanks for that explanation, it makes a lot of sense.