Little Bluestem
Schizachyrium scoparium · Warm-season (C4), Perennial
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae, tribe Andropogoneae
Grass Category
Native Prairie Grass, Ornamental, Pasture/Forage
Variety / Cultivar
Common native (noted for red-purple stems in fall)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 3-10. High heat and cold tolerance; dormant and bronze in winter.
About This Grass
Upright, clump-forming grass reaching 2-4 feet. Blue-green in summer, turning striking bronze-red or orange-purple in autumn. Features fluffy, silvery-white seed heads that catch the light.
Blade Characteristics
Narrow (medium 2-4mm), flat or folded at base, pointed tip. Blue-green to glaucous color. Vernation is folded. Ligule is a short, fringed membrane; auricles absent.
Root System
Deep, fibrous, and extensive (reaching up to 5-8 feet deep). Slow establishment but excellent drought resistance and soil stabilization. Does not form a dense turf-sod.
Growing Information
Origin Region
North America (Canada to Mexico), common across the Great Plains and Eastern US
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming), occasionally short rhizomes in southern regions
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (minimum 6 hours). Low water needs once established; prefers well-drained, sandy or loamy soils with pH 5.5 to 7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Maintenance: Low. For ornamental use, cut back to 2-4 inches in early spring before new growth starts. Not suitable for regular lawn mowing heights.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional drought tolerance, high deer resistance, salt tolerant. Provides winter interest with bronze color and fluffy seed heads.
Ecological Information
Keystone native prairie species. Provides nesting material for birds, larval host for several Skipper butterflies, and winter cover for small mammals.