How Dried Pampas Grass Became Instagram’s Favorite Design Trend

Not to sound like *another millennial*, but Instagram has a huge influence on our lives. (After all, if you didn’t ‘gram it, did it really happen?) One simple app tells us where to travel, what to wear, which restaurant to dine at, and of course, how to decorate our homes. So as soon as we spotted dried pampas grass all over our feeds, we knew we had to make these peculiar plants part of our décor. 

For most design lovers—and avid Instagrammers—dried pampas needs no introduction. It almost looks like a bunch of wheatgrass, but the grains are replaced with light, feathery fripperies. And lo and behold, it’s quickly become Instagram’s most favorite home décor element.

So how did it happen? How did this type of grass transform from under-the-radar to unapologetically chic? According to Ali Sourbis and Jessica Rose, co-founders of Stemme Fatale, the fact that it's so low maintenance is a huge selling point.

Dried pampas can last a long time "with absolutely no effort,” the duo says. “That’s likely what makes it so appealing.” 

While drying pampas grass requires the slightest elbow grease—all you need to do is hang a small bunch upside down in a warm environment for a few weeks—there are plenty of retailers that sell it already dried. All you need to do is stick your pampas in a vase or jar and...that’s it. 

Of course, there’s no denying that aesthetics have something to do with the pampas pandemonium. In an age where sleek, stark minimalism is falling out of trend, we’re slowly but surely beginning to embrace our bold side. The fluffy texture of dried pampas grass feels wonderfully whimsical, but doesn’t deviate too far out of our comfort zones.

"The neutral color goes with almost every space, from the minimal modern room to the eclectic boho style,” Rose says. 

It’s that perfect mix of minimalism and maximalism that makes dried pampas grass one Instagram trend that’s here to stay. 

“People have been decorating with dried pampas forever,” Sourbis says. “I think we will see people interpreting it in different ways.”

Contrary to popular belief, too much of any trend isn’t a good thing—and dried pampas grass is no exception. Like any fad, pampas grass runs the risk of veering into ubiquitous territory quickly. So, how do you keep Instagram’s favorite accessory looking and feeling fresh? 

According to the women behind Stemme Fatale, the secret lies behind your color palette. 

“You should experiment with spray painting pampas grass in various colors,” Sourbis explains. “We recently played around with pink pampas for Valentine’s Day arrangements.”

“It’s great, because when the rest of the arrangement died, the pampas could be salvaged and now is a solo arrangement that will last forever,” Rose adds.