Switch Grass 1 to 13 of 13 total
Switch Grass 1 to 13 of 13 total
Switch Grass
Uses:
- Rain Gardens
- Meadows & Prairies
- Livestock Grazing
- Erosion Control
Features:
- Fine Texture
- Airy Seedbeds & Fall color
- Low Maintenance & Adaptable
- Attracts Birds
Sunlight:
- Partial Shade to Full Sun
- At Least 4 Hours of Direct Sunlight
Growing Zones:
- 4-9
- What is My Zone?
Switch grass, also known as Panicum virgatum, is a medium-sized native grass with several wonderful attributes. It is highly adaptable to a wide range of sites including poor soil, clay, and sand. Its flower plumes appear in mid-summer and mature to airy, reddish-purple seed heads. The fine-textured foliage helps soften landscapes and comes in several colors including blue-green, red-tipped, and bright green. This grass can be used in erosion control, rain gardens, container gardens, and pasture for livestock.
About Switch Grass
Genus
Panicum
Species
Virgatum
Family
Poaceae
Common Names:
Panic Grass, Panic Grasses, Switchgrass, Tall Panic Grass, Thatch, grass, Wild Redtop
Native To:
North America
Plant Type:
Ornamental Grasses
Foliage Type:
Deciduous
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
4 - 9
Flower Color:
Gold/Yellow, Pink, Purple/Lavender, Red/Burgundy
Flower Bloom Time:
Fall, Summer, Winter
Growth Habit:
Clumping, Columnar, Dense, Erect
Attracts:
Small Mammals, Songbirds
Tolerates
Drought, Dry Soil, Erosion, Pollution, Salt, Wet Soil
Resists:
Deer
How To Use Switch Grass In The Garden
Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) is a native prairie grass notable for its upright, narrow form and mid-summer flower plumes that mature into airy seed heads by fall. This perennial reaches heights of 4 to 5 feet and widths of 2 to 4 feet, adapting well to various soil types, including clay and sandy soils. Its leaves often take on soft blue or metallic green hues before transitioning into pale gold, remaining upright through winter. The fibrous root network promotes soil stability and tolerance to drought.
When designing outdoor spaces, consider switchgrass for back borders or mass plantings where its height adds a layered effect. Larger cultivars work as informal screens or as a stately backdrop for blooming perennials. In small gardens, container-grown switchgrass creates a striking vertical contrast with more rounded foliage plants. Pair it with complementary prairie natives to achieve a harmonious, nature-inspired setting.
Switch Grass Care
Switchgrass thrives in full sun and adapts to various soil types, including clay and sandy soils, provided they are well-drained. When planting, position the crown slightly above the soil surface to accommodate settling. Water weekly during the first growing season to establish roots; once established, it tolerates drought but benefits from occasional watering during prolonged dry periods. Avoid fertilizing, as excessive nutrients can cause the grass to flop.
In early spring, prune switchgrass by cutting back dead foliage to a few inches above the ground before new growth emerges. This grass is hardy in zones 3–9 and requires no special winter care; leaving the foliage over winter adds visual interest and provides wildlife habitat. When growing in containers, select a large, well-draining pot and use quality potting soil. Water when the top two inches of soil are dry, typically 1–2 times per week during summer.
Learn More About Switch Grass Care
Switch Grass Companion Plants
Give switch grass all‑day sun and lean, average‑to‑moist soil that drains well yet never stays soggy. Avoid heavy fertilizer or shade that would make the stems splay. Purple coneflower anchors the summer display with drought‑tough taproots and rosy discs that rise neatly through the grass clumps, while fall-blooming aster slips its lavender stars into the panicles just as the blades take on burgundy tones—each echoing the same prairie heritage and soil preferences. Black-eyed susans supply a long ribbon of golden rays that harmonize with the autumn foliage, and tickseed (coreopsis) threads arching sprays of yellow that feed summer pollinators and visually transform the planting into a cohesive, low‑care meadow.
