Red Flame Switch Grass

Light Needs

Partial Shade to Full Sun

(At Least 3 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

3 Feet

Mature Spread

1-2 Feet

Growing Zones

4 to 8

The strikingly colored Red Flame Switch Grass is bound to spark interest in your garden. A cultivar of Panicum virgatum, ‘Red Flame’ produces dainty flower clusters over the summer. The attractive blue-green foliage turns a glorious red in the fall. Growing to around 40 inches tall, this switchgrass is tough and perfect for adding some movement and sound to the landscape.

Native to North America, Red Flame Switch Grass grows tall with an upright habit. It is easy to grow and can tolerate drought conditions once established. Being low maintenance, it needs little ongoing care and has a wide range of uses from container planting to foundation specimen; however, it perhaps looks best when grown en masse.

Red Flame Switch Grass Care

For the boldest colors and sturdiest stems, this Red Flame Switch Grass likes to be grown in full sun. It can tolerate most soil types, but prefers a neutral to slightly acidic soil pH. Unlike most ornamental grasses, it can cope with wet and dry soils once established. ‘Red flame’ does not need feeding and can even struggle to stand upright if given too much nitrogen. Regular irrigation is required after planting and for the first season. 

As a low-maintenance ornamental grass, Red Flame Switch Grass only needs cutting back to just above soil level in late winter before new growth emerges. When grown in a container, you may need to water this grass more often than when grown directly in the soil to prevent the soil from completely drying out. 

Red Flame Switch Grass Spacing

When mature, the Red Flame Switch Grass can reach a height of 40 inches and a spread of 18 to 30 inches. When planting en masse, space plants approximately 2 to 3 feet apart.