
Light Needs

Mature Height

Mature Spread

Growing Zones
The Smoke Signal Little Bluestem Grass puts on a dazzling and colorful display. Also known as Schizachyrium scoparium, this is tall ornamental grass. New foliage emerges in a blue-green color before transitioning to scarlet red by summer’s end and finally a reddish-purple by fall. This cultivar has an upright growth habit and strong foliage that remains upright and does not bend or arch as is common for most ornamental grasses. Pink flowers provide additional color and interest.
This grass is a native plant that is easy to maintain. Smoke Signal Little Bluestem Grass is clump-forming and slow-growing, so be patient, and this plant will eventually spread. Create a stunning mass planting along a fence or property line, or plant along a walkway or foundation wall. The foliage is deer-resistant, making it a good choice for areas with lots of foraging animals. Smoke Signal Little Bluestem Grass is a perennial in USDA zones 3 through 8.
Smoke Signal Little Bluestem Grass Care
Plant in full sun in dry to moist soil that promotes drainage. Smoke Signal Little Bluestem Grass likes dry conditions, so only water when the soil is dry. This grass is drought-tolerant, but water during a dry period to keep the foliage healthy. Fertilizing is unnecessary, and this plant will do well without assistance.
Trim the flowers before they go to seed if you don’t want this plant to self-seed, but birds will eat the seeds if you leave the flowers in place. Cut the growth back in the fall to encourage more abundant and sturdy growth the following year.
Smoke Signal Little Bluestem Grass Spacing
This striking ornamental grass will reach 36 to 48 inches tall and 18 to 24 inches wide. Plants can be spaced 18 to 24 inches apart for a continuous look.
Smoke Signal Little Bluestem Grass Information
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 - 8 |
Plant Type: |
Light Exposure: Full Sun (At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight) |
Mature Height: 36 - 48 Inches |
Mature Spread: 18 - 24 Inches |
Spacing: 18 - 24 Inches |
Habit: Upright |
Flower Color(s): Pink |
Flower Description: |
Bloom Period: |
Foliage Type: Evergreen |
Foliage Color(s): Blue, Green |
Foliage Description: Multi-color |
Seasonal Interest: Summer Flowering, Fall Flowering |
Watering: Average |
Resists: Deer |
Tolerates: Drought, Salt |
Attracts: Birds |
Container Role: |
Uses: Borders, Containers, Erosion Control, Mass Planting, Wildlife Gardens |
Features: Attracts Pollinators, Foliage Interest, Low Maintenance, Native to North America, Award Winner |
Brand: |
Common Name: Smoke Signal Little Bluestem Grass |
Other Name(s): |
Scientific Name: SCHIZACHYRIUM SCOPARIUM `SMOKE SIGNAL` |
- SKU:
- 1231008130-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!