
Light Needs

Mature Height

Mature Spread

Growing Zones
Andropogon gerardii 'Rain Dance' is a native Big Bluestem prairie grass with striking fall color. In the summer, Rain Dance develops blazing red tips on tall deep green blades. All the leaves turn maroon as the weather cools in the fall. This grass also develops branched, burgundy-colored flower spikes on red stems in late summer. The seeds are coveted by songbirds in the fall and winter.
Rain Dance is a warm-season grass that does most of its growing during the warmer weather of the summer and goes dormant in late fall to winter. It forms an upright, arching clump that reaches 4 – 5 feet high and 2 – 3 feet wide. It exhibits excellent drought tolerance, cold hardiness (zone 3), and deer resistance. It is also a good choice for erosion control plantings. Plant it in drifts to create waves of color and movement, or use it in a prairie garden or perennial bed to contrast larger textured plants.
Rain Dance Big Bluestem Grass Care
Rain Dance requires full sunlight with at least 6 hours of direct sun a day. It tolerates a wide range of soil conditions provided the soil drains well. Water it weekly during hot, dry summer months to establish the roots. Once established, it will require minimal supplemental watering and is useful in xeriscaping. It does not require any fertilizer applications or other nutrient supplements.
Cut the entire grass to the ground in late winter before new shoots emerge in spring. No winter protection is required.
Rain Dance Big Bluestem Grass Spacing
When planting Rain Dance in Groups, space each plant approximately 2 feet apart on center. Plants can be planted slightly closer together to create a tight screen. For container planting, this grass will need a pot at least 2 feet in diameter with excellent drainage.
Rain Dance 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 - 5 Feet |
Mature Spread: 2 - 3 Feet |
Spacing: 2 - 3 Feet |
Habit: Upright |
Flower Color(s): Red |
Flower Description: |
Bloom Period: |
Foliage Type: Herbaceous |
Foliage Color(s): Green, Red |
Foliage Description: |
Seasonal Interest: Summer Flowering |
Watering: Average |
Resists: Deer, Rabbit |
Tolerates: Drought, Salt |
Attracts: Bees, Birds |
Container Role: |
Uses: Borders, Erosion Control, Mass Planting, Wildlife Gardens |
Features: Attracts Pollinators, Foliage Interest, Native to North America |
Brand: |
Common Name: Rain Dance Big Bluestem Grass |
Other Name(s): |
Scientific Name: ANDROPOGON GERARDII `RAIN DANCE` |
- SKU:
- 1231010776-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.
Starting January 1, 2025 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.

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 31th |
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!