How to Grow and Care for Little Bluestem
Get tips for planting and maintaining this beautiful native prairie grass.
Prairie Winds® 'Blue Paradise' little bluestem. Photo by: Proven Winners
A rugged native of North American tallgrass prairies, little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) also shines in the perennial garden because of its many ornamental attributes and easy-care nature. This clumping, warm-season ornamental grass is prized for its upright blue-green foliage, which turns vibrant shades of red, orange, and copper in the fall. In late summer, wispy silvery-white seed heads appear, adding decorative interest well into winter while providing a valuable food source for birds.
Like many native prairie plants, little bluestem has adapted well to challenging conditions, including drought, poor soil quality, and extreme temperatures. This resilience makes it an excellent choice for hot, dry climates and water-wise gardens.
Little bluestem is also a great addition to a pollinator garden because it serves as the larval host plant for several skipper butterfly species and provides shelter and nesting sites for bees and other pollinating insects.
On this page: Basics | Planting | Care | Varieties | Frequently Asked Questions
- BASICS
- HOW TO PLANT LITTLE BLUESTEM
- LITTLE BLUESTEM CARE
- LITTLE BLUESTEM VARIETIES
- FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
BASICS
Botanical name:
Schizachyrium scoparium
Common names:
Little bluestem
Plant type:
Perennial
Zones:
3-9
Native range:
According to the USDA, little bluestem is native across the entire continental United States, with the exception of Nevada and Oregon.
Exposure:
Full sun
Habit:
Upright
Mature size:
2 to 4 feet tall, 1 to 2 feet wide
Foliage:
Flat, linear leaves can be various shades of blue and green, sometimes with pink or purple markings. Fall color can vary depending on the cultivar, ranging from orange to bronze to deep red and purple.
Flowers:
Small, inconspicuous light tan or beige flowers occur on tall stems in late summer, followed by more noticeable silvery-white seed heads.
Landscape uses:
Mixed borders, meadow gardens, mass plantings, wildlife gardens, erosion control, container plantings.
"Little bluestem is wonderful planted en masse. The visual dynamics it provides range from blue-green in late summer to golden with cotton-tufted seedheads in winter." — Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Prairie Winds® 'Brush Strokes' little bluestem. Photo by: Proven Winners
"If you’re looking for a perennial that’s going to give you fall interest, but also some winter interest as well, if you leave it standing, then ‘Brush Strokes’ is a great one to consider."
—Andrew Jager, Proven Winners Perennials
HOW TO PLANT LITTLE BLUESTEM
When to plant:
Because little bluestem is a warm-season grass, the best time to plant is in spring to give plants an entire growing season to establish strong roots before facing harsh winter conditions. Planting in early summer also works well, but be sure to keep young plants well-watered during dry spells to help them get established.
Where to plant:
Little bluestem grows best in a site that receives at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. While it can tolerate some light shade, too much shade can result in floppy growth and less vivid fall colors.
Soil:
Will grow in a wide range of soil types as long as they are well-drained, including sandy, loamy, and even rocky soils. Avoid planting in heavy clay, unless it is amended with organic matter to improve drainage.
Planting:
Dig a hole that is as deep as the root ball and twice as wide. Place your plant in the hole, ensuring the crown is level with the surrounding soil. Fill the hole with soil, tamp down gently to remove air pockets, and water thoroughly. Water plants regularly until established.
Spacing:
When planting little bluestem in groups, space plants about plants about 18 to 24 inches apart to allow for their clump-forming growth habit.
LITTLE BLUESTEM CARE
Watering:
During the first growing season, water little bluestem deeply once a week to help it establish a strong root system. Once established, little bluestem can withstand periods of drought and only needs watering during prolonged dry spells. Avoid overwatering, as it can cause the plants to flop over.
Amendments and fertilizer:
Little bluestem thrives in low to moderately fertile soils and needs little or no supplemental fertilization. Soil that is too high in nutrients can lead to drooping or lodging, a condition where the stems of the plant fall over at the base.
Pruning:
Leave the foliage and seed heads of little bluestem standing through winter to provide ornamental interest as well as food and shelter for wildlife. In late winter to early spring, cut the previous year’s growth back to nearly ground level. When the soil temperatures warm up in late spring, little bluestem will begin to fill in with new, healthy growth.
"The nice thing about little bluestem is that they have a finer texture so they're pretty easy to cut back." — Kelly Norris, horticulturist, landscape designer, author.
Propagating:
By seed or by dividing established clumps in early spring. (*See note below on propagating or dividing patented plants. Check your plant tags for the ® or ™ symbol by the plant name.)
Pests and diseases:
Little bluestem is not susceptible to any serious pests or diseases and is rarely bothered by deer. You may occasionally encounter foliar diseases such as rust and leaf spot, but they usually are not detrimental to plant health.
LITTLE BLUE STEM VARIETIES
Photo by: Proven Winners
Prairie Winds® 'Blue Paradise' — Buy now from Proven Winners
Schizachyrium scoparium
Height and spread: 36 to 42 inches tall, 24 inches wide
Striking silvery blue foliage turns deep wine red in fall. An upright, columnar habit adds a nice vertical element to the garden and maintains its structure and interest through winter.
"'Blue Paradise' is a great native grass for adding height to narrow spaces. The columnar habit does not flop open through the entire season, a notable trait particularly when compared to other little bluestem varieties." —Proven Winners Perennials.
Photo by: Proven Winners
Prairie Winds® 'Brush Strokes' — Buy now from Proven Winners
Schizachyrium scoparium
Height and spread: 32 to 36 inches tall, 22 to 26 inches wide
Features tall, bristle-like blades that bend gently in the breeze then return to their erect position, adding graceful movement to the garden. The foliage starts out a soft powder blue in spring and summer, then turns wine red in the fall, providing a long season of interest.
Photo by: N. Stertz / Shutterstock
'Standing Ovation'
Schizachyrium scoparium
Height and spread: Up to 48 inches tall, 24 inches wide
Blue-green foliage with a tinge of purple at the tips transitions to brilliant shades of red and orange in the fall. Maintains a tidy, upright appearance, thanks to exceptionally sturdy stems that won’t flop over, even in high winds and heavy rain.
Photo by: Hort Pics / Millette Photomedia
'The Blues'
Schizachyrium scoparium
Height and spread: Up to 36 inches tall, 24 inches wide
Named for its magnificent steely blue foliage, this stunning cultivar is accented by red stems and turns eye-catching burgundy and purple shades in the fall. Grows best in low-fertility soils and dry conditions.
Photo by: Scott Weber / Millette Photomedia
'Blaze'
Schizachyrium scoparium
Height and spread: 24 to 36 inches tall,18 inches wide
The most notable feature of this cultivar is its exceptional fall color, as the foliage transitions from gray-green in summer to fiery shades of red and orange. Much of the color persists through winter, giving this plant outstanding year-round interest.
Photo by: PlantsNouveau
'Carousel'
Schizachyrium scoparium
Height and spread: Up to 30 inches tall and wide
Introduced by the Chicagoland Grows® program, this compact cultivar was selected for its unique rounded habit and upright stems that do not lodge in fall and winter. The blue-green foliage displays undertones of pink in the summer, before turning radiant copper, orange, and mahogany hues in autumn.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is little bluestem okay to plant over a septic field?
Yes, little bluestem is generally a good choice to plant over a septic field because the roots of dry prairie plants are less likely to invade and clog septic system pipes because they do not thrive in water-saturated conditions. For more information about native plants suitable for growing near a drain field, check out this article from Michigan State University.
Is little bluestem invasive?
No, little bluestem is not considered invasive. It is a native grass species widely distributed across North America and commonly used in prairie restoration projects. Little bluestem is well-behaved in gardens and does not spread aggressively through underground rhizomes, like some invasive plants do.
When is the best time to cut back little bluestem?
Because little bluestem adds visual interest to the garden during the winter months, wait until early spring, just before new growth begins, to cut it back. At that time, use sharp pruning shears to cut the clumps back to about 2 to 4 inches above the ground.
How does little bluestem spread?
Little bluestem primarily spreads by self-seeding, since the fluffy seed heads are easily dispersed by the wind and can germinate under favorable conditions. If you want to manage its spread, you can simply monitor and remove any unwanted seedlings.
Is little bluestem toxic?
No, little bluestem is not considered to be toxic to people or animals. However, as with any ornamental plant, it's always a good idea to prevent ingestion by pets and children, since it may cause digestive upset.
What pairs well with little bluestem?
Little bluestem pairs beautifully with wildflowers and other native prairie grasses that thrive in similar similar growing conditions. Some to consider include purple coneflower, black-eyed Susan, switchgrass, goldenrod, blazing star, milkweed, blanket flower, and asters. Not only are these companion plantings visually appealing, they also create a low-maintenance prairie-inspired garden that supports regional wildlife.
*REGARDING PROPAGATION: When it comes to propagating patented plants, there are strict rules in place prohibiting reproduction or propagation of these plants in any way. This means you can't reproduce them (even for use in your own garden), sell them, or bring them into the country without permission. The law does not make exceptions for what some might consider minor infringements. Any unauthorized use of patented plants is considered an infringement.
