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Studying the responses of phytoliths to warming is a new approach to interpret how grassland ecosystems respond to global change. We used an infrared radiator to simulate warming on Phragmites communis in the Songnen Grassland, China – three warming treatments and a control were used to study the relationships between phytolith size and temperature. Warming changed the size of different types of phytoliths. During June–October, the average size of saddle phytoliths decreased and that of hair cell phytoliths and silicified stomata increased with warming. The responses of phytolith size to warming differed among months. With warming, the size of saddle phytoliths, hair cell phytoliths and silicified stomata increased in July and September, but decreased in October. Overall, the results demonstrate that P. communis phytoliths were sensitive to warming. This study provides experimental evidence for phytoliths as reliable proxy indicators for reconstruction of paleo-environments.