Little Bluestem Beard Grass

Light Needs

Full Sun

(At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

2-4 Feet

Mature Spread

1-2 Feet

Growing Zones

3 to 9

The colorful foliage of Little Bluestem Beard Grass makes this North American native an easy focal point in a landscape. Also known as Schizachyrium scoparium, this ornamental grass has slender blue-green foliage that transitions to a bronzy orange hue by fall. The racemes, or flowers, are a purple-bronze before turning into fluffy white seed heads. Little Bluestem Beard Grass adds color, texture, and height to a landscape and can work as a specimen or part of a curated, low-maintenance space.

This ornamental grass is cold tolerant, which is beneficial in the chillier reaches of its growing area. Grow Little Bluestem Beard Grass as a perennial in zones 3 through 9. Feature this beard grass along a fence or foundation, or use it to create a backdrop for showier plants. Another perk of this ornamental grass is that it’s deer resistant, so it can continue to adorn a landscape even in areas with a lot of foraging animals.

Little Bluestem Beard Grass Care

Plant Little Bluestem Beard Grass in full sun because this beauty needs at least 6 hours of daily sunlight. This plant thrives in poor-quality soil, and while it can handle regular dampness, it can also live in dry conditions. Young plants need routine watering, but established plants typically do not require supplemental water. This plant does not require any fertilization. Too much fertilizer will damage the foliage and cause flopping.

Cut the foliage back in late winter or early spring to encourage new growth each year. Animals eat the seeds, so wait until early spring to trim the stems if you want to provide a food source for wildlife.

Little Bluestem Beard Grass Spacing

Mature plants can reach 2 to 4 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide. Create a wall of foliage by spacing plants 1 to 2 feet apart in a row.