Big Bluestem Grass on the Ground
This product does not ship to: AZ, CA, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, WA

Big Bluestem Grass

American Beauties Native Plants

$37.99
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Availability : In Stock
Spring 2024 Pre-Order - Learn More
$37.99
This product does not ship to: AZ, CA, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, WA
  • Full Sun (At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)
  • Mature Height 4 - 6 Feet
  • Mature Spread 4 - 6 Feet
  • Growing Zones 3 - 8

When planning a landscape, it’s easy to overlook ornamental grasses like Big Bluestem Grass (Andropogon gerardii). But home gardeners should look again. This ornamental grass from American Beauties Native Plants grows quickly and fills the garden with interest all year round. In summer, the bluish-green blades rise to nearly 6 feet high, so this grass can act as a screen or border, or just look cool in front of a wall or fence. 

Of course, since it has strong roots, it’s also an excellent plant for controlling erosion, especially on rocky slopes. Plant en masse for the full effect in fall and winter, when the seed heads dry to a reddish shade. Cut some for indoor dried arrangements. The easy-care grass is drought tolerant, attracts birds and butterflies and turns deer off. It’s about as good as it gets.

Big Bluestem Grass Care

Plant Big Bluestem grass in full sun for optimal growth and color. Don’t worry too much about soil or watering. It can handle poor and dry soil, as long as water drains and does not pool. Despite that, it will grow fast, so be sure to consider its mature, upright height when selecting a spot. Once established, your grass gets by with little water.

When the pretty seed heads appear in fall, leave them for birds and winter color. In late winter, mow or shear the clump of stems to nearly ground level. Avoid cutting it while in its summer growth phase. There is no need to fertilize the grass.

Big Bluestem Grass Spacing

For mass plantings and borders, space your Big Bluestem grass about 2 to 3 feet apart, depending on the effect you want. Each clump needs some room for its seed heads to sway in the breeze.

Big Bluestem Grass Information

USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 - 8
Plant Type:
Light Exposure: Full Sun (At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)
Mature Height: 4 - 6 Feet
Mature Spread: 2 - 3 Feet
Spacing: 2 - 3 Feet
Habit: Upright
Flower Color(s): Orange, Red
Flower Description:
Bloom Period:
Foliage Type: Herbaceous
Foliage Color(s): Green
Foliage Description:
Seasonal Interest: Spring Flowering, Summer Flowering, Fall Flowering, Winter Interest, 4 Season Interest
Watering: Average
Resists: Deer
Tolerates: Drought
Attracts: Birds, Butterflies
Container Role:
Uses: Borders, Mass Planting, Specimen or Focal Point, Wildlife Gardens
Features: Attracts Pollinators, Cut Flowers, Low Maintenance
Brand: American Beauties Native Plants
Common Name: Big Bluestem Grass
Other Name(s):
Scientific Name: ANDROPOGON GERARDII
SKU:
1231013191-pc

Container Sizes

Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.

4.5 Pot

4.5" Pot
 Also Know As:
   4.5" Container

 Plant Age:
   ~ 6 months
 Plant Size:
   ~ 3"-6"
 Pot Size:
   ~ 4.5"H x 3.75"W
 Volume:
   1.42 quarts

Quart Pot

Quart Pot
 Also Know As:
   Quart

 Plant Age:
   ~ 6 months - 1 year
 Plant Size:
   ~ 4"-8"
 Pot Size:
   ~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
 Volume:
   1.50 quarts

2.5 Quart

2.5 Quart
 Also Know As:
   2.5 Quart Pot

 Plant Age:
   ~ 1.5 - 2 years old
 Plant Size:
   ~ 8"-12"
 Pot Size:
   ~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
 Volume:
   2.20-2.30 quarts

#1 Pot

#1 Pot
 Also Know As:
   #1 Container
    1 Gallon
 Plant Age:
   ~ 1.5 - 2 years old
 Plant Size:
   ~ 10"-14"
 Pot Size:
   ~ 7"H x 7.75"W
 Volume:
   2.26-3.73 quarts

#2 Pot

#2 Pot
 Also Know As:
   #2 Container
    2 Gallon
 Plant Age:
   ~ 1.5 - 3 years old
 Plant Size:
   ~ 12"-18"
 Pot Size:
   ~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
 Volume:
   1.19-1.76 gallons

#3 Pot

#3 Pot
 Also Know As:
   #3 Container
    3 Gallon
 Plant Age:
   ~ 2 - 4 years old
 Plant Size:
   ~ 12"-30"
 Pot Size:
   ~9.5"H x 11"W
 Volume:
   2.32-2.76 gallons


For more detailed information, please click here.

Plant Addict Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)

Plant Addicts guarantees your plant(s) will arrive happy and healthy, but the plant(s) are being shipped through the mail and accidents happen. If the plant is dead, has dried out roots or the incorrect item was shipped just notify Plant Addicts within 3 days upon delivery. We may ask for pictures but will try to make it as easy as possible for you. Please note plant(s) with damaged branches or wilted leaves will not qualify for this guarantee. Plants are very resilient and will rebound quickly when cared for correctly.

For information on how to care for you new plant please check out our guide. Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)

Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)

We encourage all plant lovers to purchase the Plant Addicts Warranty whether you’re new or an expert. There are many variables outside our control and yours that can cause the demise of your plant(s). Examples would be hungry animals, drought, poor soil conditions, over watering, disease, insects & many other factors. The Plant Addicts Warranty is a 1 year warranty protecting you from all the unknowns and will replace your plant if it moves on to the plant afterlife.

The warranty is purchased on a per plant basis and must be purchased at the same time as the plant purchase. We will cover 100% of the price of the plant but the warranty does not cover shipping cost. Simply let us know if your plant has died within one year of receiving it and we’ll get you a new one shipped out. We may ask for photos for documentation purposes but again we’ll try to make it as easy as possible.

For more information, please go to our Shipping & Returns page at the bottom of the website.

Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)

Planter Shipping

Standard Colors: 2-3 business days

Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice

Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations

Plant Shipping

Time of Order:

Summer Shipping

  • If there is extreme heat we’ll delay shipping.  
    • We’ll have to review what areas the plants are traveling through along with your location


Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an email with tracking information. Depending on the above criteria we’ll ship your plant(s) towards beginning of the following week from your order. We put together this helpful guide of what to do when you receive your plants in the mail.

It is important to know that all of our plants are clearly labeled for which growing zones the plant can survive in. The plants are thoroughly trialed and tested in every growing zone before we state the plant can grow in a zone. Again, our #1 priority is to ship the plants to you healthy and ready to thrive in your location. So we will do everything in our power to do so.