Very thin, emerald green leaves form a dense arching tuft. Seed heads form in August and give off a distinct aroma. These graceful clumps turn showy light tan, yellow or deep orange in fall. Provides food and cover for wildlife.
Native Plant Database
Header Photo: Mervin Wallace
Prairie Dropseed
Sporobolus heterolepis
Plant Type: Grasses / Sedges / Rushes
Native Environment: Glade, Prairie, Savanna / Woodland
Season of Interest: Winter (Nov - Mar)
Main Color: Green
Fall Color: Orange, Yellow
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
Songbirds
Wildlife Benefit
Cover, Food/Birds
Animal
Resistance
Deer Resistant
Size
Height:
18 to
30
inches
Spread:
24 to
30
inches
Size
Height: 18 to
30
inches
Spread: 24 to
30
inches
Size
Height: 18 to
30
inches
Spread: 24 to
30
inches
Typical Landscape Use
Looks great toward the front of the border or weaving in and out of taller flowering plants. Use in native plant gardens, naturalized areas, prairies and meadows. Excellent in massed plantings. Provides food and cover for wildlife.
Establishment and Care Instructions
Tough and drought tolerant. Grow in full sun in dry to average soil. Spaced evenly 24-36 inches apart, it can make a formal ground cover.
Special Features
Special Usage
Fragrant, Ground Cover, 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?
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Where Can I Find This Plant in Nature?
Learn about the Native Environment(s) inhabited by the plants in this database.