A mature Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) growing in a residential garden bed

In the landscape

Border · Mass planting · Container · Meadow · Pond · Butterfly · Cottage · Drought tolerant

Data sources

Missouri Botanical Garden, NC State Extension

Little Bluestem

Schizachyrium scoparium · Ornamental grass

Little Bluestem is a moderate-growing ornamental grass, hardy in USDA zones 3-9, that matures to about 2–4 ft × 1.5–2 ft. It does best in full sun with low water needs in well-drained, moist and occasionally-dry soil. Expect purple blooms in winter and summer. It attracts butterflies, pollinators and small mammals, stands up well to black walnut, deer and drought and grows happily in containers.

USDA zones: 3-9
Sun: Full sun
Water: Low
Mature size: 2–4 ft × 1.5–2 ft
Growth rate: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Soil: Well-drained, Moist, Occasionally-dry
Bloom color: Purple
Bloom season: Winter, Summer
Attracts: Butterflies, Pollinators, Small mammals, Songbirds
Tough against: Black walnut, Deer, Drought, Dry soil, Heat, Humidity, Pests, Pollution
Native to: Eastern North America

Will it survive your winters?

We score Little Bluestem’s freeze-trouble range against the real coldest nights your area has recorded.

Powered by ~35 years of daily lows from the nearest NOAA weather station. A risk read, not a guarantee — a sheltered spot or mature plant beats the odds.

More plants for your zone: Zone 3 · Zone 4 · Zone 5 · Zone 6 · Zone 7 · Zone 8 · Zone 9