Indiangrass Sorghastrum nutans
Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans) is a deciduous perennial grass in the Poaceae family, native to Tallgrass prairies of eastern and central North America. It grows 1.2–2.2 m (3.9–7.2 ft) tall and 50–80 cm (20–31 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -38 °C (-36 °F). Space plants about 60 cm (24 in) apart.
Plan Indiangrass in your garden →
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Indiangrass at a glance
| Type | Perennial grass, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Poaceae |
| Mature height | 1.2–2.2 m (3.9–7.2 ft) |
| Mature spread | 50–80 cm (20–31 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 | 5–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -38 °C (-36 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 3) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 40 °C (104 °F) |
| Flowering | from about August for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | None |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Tallgrass prairies of eastern and central North America |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇨🇦 Canada |
Is Indiangrass toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous; excellent forage.
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 Indiangrass
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Indiangrass
- How far apart should I plant Indiangrass?
- About 60 cm (24 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 50–80 cm (20–31 in).
- Does Indiangrass need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 7 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Indiangrass need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Indiangrass?
- It tolerates about -38 °C (-36 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 3.
- When does Indiangrass flower?
- From about August for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Indiangrass 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. Not poisonous; excellent forage.
- What grows well with Indiangrass?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Indiangrass. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- USDA PLANTS Database, USDA NRCS
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
Notes and assumptions
- A tallgrass prairie plant: deep roots make it drought-proof once established; it wants sun and lean soil (rich soil makes it flop). Leave the stems standing in winter for seed-eating birds and overwintering insects.
- One of the “big four” tallgrass prairie grasses: blue-green clumps with copper-gold, feathery seed plumes with yellow anthers in late summer, turning orange in autumn. The state grass of Oklahoma and South Carolina.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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- Golden bamboo Phyllostachys aurea
- Switchgrass Panicum virgatum
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