
Light Needs

Mature Height

Mature Spread

Growing Zones
Prairie Dropseed Grass or Sporobolus heterolepis is a native flowering grass commonly grown for its fine texture and gently arching foliage. The leaves are very thin but also very dense, so this plant has an imposing presence. The deep green foliage transitions to shades of gold and orange by the fall. Pink and brown panicled flowers give way to tiny seeds that drop, as the name implies, late in the season.
As a native plant, Prairie Dropseed Grass requires very little attention once acclimated. The tall, thin blades of grass billow in the wind and invoke a prairie-like setting. Plant this clump-forming stunner in beds, mass plantings, or borders, or use it as erosion control. The fragrant blooms have a slight coriander scent, and the seed will be a draw for birds. This plant grows as a perennial in USDA zones 3 through 8.
Prairie Dropseed Grass Care
Plant Prairie Dropseed Grass in full sun. Soil should be rich and well-drained. This stunner requires consistent water for the first year but is drought-tolerant once established.
As a native plant, this grass does not need to be fertilized, but a dose of balanced plant food in the spring will get it off to a strong start. Dethatch or remove old, dead foliage each year to encourage new growth.
Prairie Dropseed Grass Spacing
Prairie Dropseed Grass will grow 4 to 12 inches tall and spread 10 to 12 inches wide. Plants can be spaced 8 to 12 inches apart to create a full and continuous look.
Prairie Dropseed Grass Information
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 - 8 |
Plant Type: |
Light Exposure: Full Sun (At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight) |
Mature Height: 4 - 12 Inches |
Mature Spread: 10 - 12 Inches |
Spacing: 10 - 12 Inches |
Habit: Clumping, Upright |
Flower Color(s): Pink |
Flower Description: |
Bloom Period: |
Foliage Type: Herbaceous |
Foliage Color(s): Green |
Foliage Description: |
Seasonal Interest: Summer Flowering, Fall Flowering |
Watering: Average |
Resists: Deer |
Tolerates: Drought |
Attracts: Birds |
Container Role: |
Uses: Borders, Erosion Control, Mass Planting, Wildlife Gardens |
Features: Attracts Pollinators, Fragrant, Low Maintenance, Native to North America |
Brand: |
Common Name: Prairie Dropseed Grass |
Other Name(s): |
Scientific Name: SPOROBOLUS HETEROLEPSIS |
- SKU:
- 1231013011-pc
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.
All bushes, perennials & trees 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.

Pre-ordered plants are scheduled to ship in Spring 2025. We carefully plan our shipping dates based on your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone to ensure optimal planting conditions upon arrival. Want it sooner/later? Reach out, and we'll try our best to accommodate.
Estimated ship week for pre-ordered plants will ship based on growing zones as shown below.
Growing Zone | Estimated Ship Week |
---|---|
Zone 10 | March 24th |
Zone 9 | March 31st |
Zone 8 | April 7th |
Zone 7 | April 14th |
Zone 6b | April 21st |
Zone 6a | April 28th |
Zone 5b | May 5th |
Zone 5a | May 12th |
Zone 4 | May 19th |
Zone 3 | May 26th |
Note: These are only estimated ship dates. Plants may ship out later depending on weather & growing conditions of the plant.
Note: Only plants indicated as pre-order will ship as shown above. All other plants and hard goods will ship as normal.
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: AZ, CA, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, WA, 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!