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Native Plant Database

Header Photo: Mervin Wallace

Indian Grass

Sorghastrum nutans
Plant Type: Grasses / Sedges / Rushes
Native Environment: Prairie
Season of Interest: Winter (Nov - Mar)
Main Color: Blue, Green
Fall Color: Gold

USDA PLANTS Range Map

At the range map link above, zoom in for county-level data

Sun Exposure 
Full Sun
Soil
Moisture
Dry, Moderate
Nature Attracting
Songbirds
Wildlife Benefit
Cover
Animal
Resistance
Size

Height:

36 to
72
inches

Spread:

24 to
30
inches
Size
Height: 36 to
72
inches
Spread: 24 to
30
inches
Size
Height: 36 to
72
inches
Spread: 24 to
30
inches
Typical Landscape Use
Mass or blend into prairies, meadows, wild or naturalized areas. Vertical accent for borders. Also effective on slopes for erosion control. Numerous songbirds and small mammals eat the seeds and plants provide excellent nesting and security cover.
Establishment and Care Instructions
Easily grown in average, dry to medium wet, well-drained soil in full sun. Tolerates a wide range of soils including heavy clay. Tends to open up and flop in moist, rich soils. May naturalize by self-seeding.
Special Features
Special Usage
Dried Flower, Fresh Cut Flower, Salt Tolerant
Basic Description

Upright clumps, 36-72″ tall, of slender, blue-green leaves turn golden yellow in fall. Stiff, vertical flowering stems, topped with 12″ long, narrow, light brown flower panicles with yellow stamens, rise well above the foliage in late summer.

Sorghastrum nutans

Flower panicles of Indian grass. Photo: Frank Oberle

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