Prairie dropseed Sporobolus heterolepis
Prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis) is a deciduous perennial grass in the Poaceae family, native to Prairies of central North America. It grows 50–90 cm (20–35 in) tall and 50–90 cm (20–35 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -40 °C (-40 °F). Space plants about 50 cm (20 in) apart.
Plan Prairie dropseed in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Prairie dropseed at a glance
| Type | Perennial grass, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Poaceae |
| Mature height | 50–90 cm (20–35 in) |
| Mature spread | 50–90 cm (20–35 in) |
| Spacing | 50 cm (20 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 6–8.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -40 °C (-40 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 3) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 36 °C (97 °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 | Prairies of central North America |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇨🇦 Canada, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇳🇱 Netherlands |
Is Prairie dropseed toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous.
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 Prairie dropseed
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Prairie dropseed
- How far apart should I plant Prairie dropseed?
- About 50 cm (20 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 50–90 cm (20–35 in).
- Does Prairie dropseed need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Prairie dropseed need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Prairie dropseed?
- It tolerates about -40 °C (-40 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 3.
- When does Prairie dropseed flower?
- From about August for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Prairie dropseed 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.
- What grows well with Prairie dropseed?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Prairie dropseed. 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
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- Illinois Wildflowers (descriptions and insect-visitor records), John Hilty, illinoiswildflowers.info
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.
- A fountain of fine, hair-like leaves turning golden-orange in autumn, with airy late-summer flower sprays that smell of popcorn or coriander. Slow to establish but long-lived; a refined edging grass.
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