Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
Blue Oat Grass, also known as Helictotrichon sempervirens, is an attractive perennial grass known for its unique, blue-gray foliage. This no-fuss, highly ornamental grass does not need a lot of maintenance but it adds plenty of color, texture, and shape to the garden. Due to its architectural characteristics, it is often planted en masse, in waterwise modern gardens, as a colorful blue-gray accent, and on slopes for erosion control.
Blue Oat Grass is cold hardy in zones 4-8 and is considered an evergreen in milder climates. It provides attractive structure in the garden when a light dusting of snow sits on top of the blue foliage. Blue Oat Grass has a low, domed habit and reaches heights of 2-3 ft with a 1-2 ft spread. This useful and attractive perennial grass is drought and salt tolerant, deer resistant, and very low maintenance–an ideal choice for water-wise gardens.
Blue Oat Grass Care
Plant Blue Oat Grass in an area that receives 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. It must be planted in well-draining soils; this grass can tolerate lean, low-fertility soils, and in fact, the blue foliage often becomes more striking in drier soils.
Apply a thick layer of mulch around the base of Blue Oat Grass, particularly in colder climates to help insulate the roots and protect them from cold damage. In early spring, keep Blue Oat Grass looking fresh by cutting back the plant to 4” above the soil to encourage new growth.
Blue Oat Grass Spacing
Blue Oat Grass has an upright, clump-forming growth habit, reaching 2 feet wide at maturity. Space grasses 18-24 inches apart to allow for proper air circulation and balanced growth.
Blue Oat Grass Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 4 to 8 (perennial); grown as an annual elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown indoors elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown in containers elsewhere (grown as a seasonal crop)
- Sun Exposure
- Full Sun (6+ Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 2-3 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 1-2 Feet
- Growth Habit
- , Clumping, Mounded
- Water Needs
- Average
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , Brown
- Flower Description
- Brown
- Bloom Time
- Summer
- Foliage Color
- , Blue, Green
- Foliage Description
- Blue, Green, Gray
- Foliage Type
- , Semi-Evergreen
- Seasonal Interest
- , Summer Flowering
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Blue Oat Grass
- Also Known As
- Blue Oat Grass
- Botanical Name
- Helictotrichon sempervirens
- Plant Type
- Perennial
Simple Plant Spacing Calculator
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.
Also Known 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
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known 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
Also Known 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
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
We stand behind our plants with industry-leading guarantees to give you peace of mind.
We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
Starting January 1, 2026 all bushes, perennials & trees purchased come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!