Big Bluestem — Growing reference
| Scientific name | Andropogon gerardii |
|---|---|
| Seed germination (days) | 14–21 |
| Soil temperature for germination (°C) | 18.3–23.9 |
| First harvest or flowering (days) | 90–120 |
| Measured from | Seed |
| Plant spacing (cm) | 45.7–61 |
| Mature height (cm) | 121.9–243.8 |
| Mature spread (cm) | 45.7–61 |
| USDA hardiness zones | 2–9 |
| Light | Full sun |
| Water | Low |
| Sowing method | Direct sow |
Growing directions
Plant in well-drained to average, dry soil in full sun; big bluestem is the dominant grass of the tallgrass prairie, once covering hundreds of millions of acres from Manitoba to Texas, and is a cornerstone native grass for prairie restorations, meadow gardens, and large-scale naturalized plantings. The blue-green foliage turns brilliant orange-copper-burgundy in fall and holds through winter as attractive standing tan straw. The distinctive three-parted seed heads — resembling turkey feet in silhouette — are architectural and wildlife-valuable. Deep roots (up to 10 feet) make it exceptional for erosion control and sequestering carbon. Extremely drought-tolerant once established; never needs irrigation or fertilizer in average to dry soil. Cut back to 6 inches in early spring before new growth begins.
Source and local conditions
Typical planning ranges from OpenPlantDB (CC0). Cultivar, climate, season and growing method can change these values. Confirm the seed label and local guidance before planting.
Source & verification
OpenPlantDB · CC0