A small, non-spreading, clump-forming grass with blue-green leaves that turn reddish orange in the fall. Fluffy silver seed heads are ornamental through winter. Host plant for larvae of a number of skipper butterflies.
Native Plant Database
Header Photo: Mervin Wallace
Little Bluestem
Schizachyrium scoparium
Plant Type: Grasses / Sedges / Rushes
Native Environment: Prairie
Season of Interest: Winter (Nov - Mar)
Main Color: Blue, Green
Fall Color:
USDA PLANTS Range Map
At the range map link above, zoom in for county-level data

Photo: Mervin Wallace

Sun Exposure
Full Sun

Soil
Moisture
Dry, Moderate

Nature Attracting
Butterfly, Songbirds

Wildlife Benefit
Butterfly / Moth Host, Cover, Food/Birds

Animal
Resistance
Deer Resistant
Size
Height:
12 to
24
inches
Spread:
12 to
inches
Size
Height: 12 to
24
inches
Spread: 12 to
inches
Size
Height: 12 to
24
inches
Spread: 12 to
inches
Typical Landscape Use
This is an excellent short grass for the garden. Use freely in sunny borders, native plant gardens, naturalized areas, prairies and meadows. Excellent in massed plantings. Provides food and cover for wildlife.
Establishment and Care Instructions
Grow in dry to moderate soil moisture in full sun. Tolerates heat and humidity easily.
Special Features
Special Usage
Dried Flower, Fresh Cut Flower, Salt Tolerant
Basic Description
Where Should I Start?
Check out the Grow Native! Committee’s Top Ten picks of native plants for a particular purpose.
What’s the Next Step?
Picked out your plants? View our Resource Guide of garden centers, seed sources, landscapers, education resources, and more!
Where Can I Find This Plant in Nature?
Learn about the Native Environment(s) inhabited by the plants in this database.