Big bluestem Andropogon gerardii
Big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) is a deciduous perennial grass in the Poaceae family, native to Tallgrass prairie of central North America. It grows 1.2–2.4 m (3.9–7.9 ft) tall and 60–90 cm (24–35 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -37 °C (-35 °F). Space plants about 60 cm (24 in) apart.
Plan Big bluestem in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Big bluestem at a glance
| Type | Perennial grass, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Poaceae |
| Mature height | 1.2–2.4 m (3.9–7.9 ft) |
| Mature spread | 60–90 cm (24–35 in) |
| Spacing | 60 cm (24 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 7 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5.5–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -37 °C (-35 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 3) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 42 °C (108 °F) |
| Flowering | from about August for 6–11 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Tallgrass prairie of central North America |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States |
Is Big bluestem toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Big bluestem
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
See Big bluestem in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Missouri Botanical Garden (20 plants)
- Longwood Gardens (12 plants)
- Denver Botanic Gardens (14 plants)
- New York Botanical Garden (10 plants)
Questions about Big bluestem
- How far apart should I plant Big bluestem?
- About 60 cm (24 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 60–90 cm (24–35 in).
- Does Big bluestem need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 7 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Big bluestem need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Big bluestem?
- It tolerates about -37 °C (-35 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 3.
- When does Big bluestem flower?
- From about August for 6–11 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Big bluestem poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
- What grows well with Big bluestem?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Big bluestem. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- USDA PLANTS Database, USDA NRCS
Notes and assumptions
- The dominant grass of the tallgrass prairie; "turkey foot" seed heads; copper-red in autumn. Prairies are maintained by burning.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Fountain grass Pennisetum alopecuroides
- Sweet corn Zea mays var. saccharata
- Lemongrass Cymbopogon citratus
- Clumping bamboo Fargesia murielae
- Maiden grass (miscanthus) Miscanthus sinensis
- Golden bamboo Phyllostachys aurea
- Switchgrass Panicum virgatum
- Little bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium