Big Bluestem

Growing Conditions

Growing Zones

Thrives in USDA Zones 3 - 9

Companion Planting

When to Plant

• Direct Sow

  Sow in early spring or fall; cold stratification improves germination; press seed lightly into soil surface

• Harvest

  Cut stems to 4–6 inches in late winter before new growth emerges

Organic Growing Tips

• Do not fertilize - lean soils produce the best form and color; excess nitrogen causes lodging.

• Burn or cut back in late winter rather than fall to preserve winter wildlife habitat.

• Slow to establish - resist pulling what looks like a failed planting in year 1.

• Once established, big bluestem is nearly impossible to kill and requires no irrigation.

Common Pests

• Rust Fungus
• Scale Insects

Taxonomy

Kingdom

Plantae

Family

Grass Family (Poaceae)

Genus

Andropogon

Species

gerardii

Natural History

Big Bluestem is native to the tallgrass prairie of central North America, historically forming the dominant grass across tens of millions of acres from southern Canada to Texas. The species name honors Louis Gérard, an 18th-century French botanist. Before European settlement, vast herds of bison grazed and wallowed among big bluestem, and Indigenous nations across the Great Plains relied on the deep-rooted grass as a marker of rich soils and as forage for horses. Its extraordinary root system - often reaching 8–12 feet deep - allows it to endure drought, fire, and overgrazing and makes it a powerful soil-building and carbon-sequestering presence in restored prairie gardens.

Traditional Use

Several Plains nations recorded practical uses for big bluestem, primarily involving the stems and leaves in utilitarian and ceremonial contexts rather than as a primary medicinal plant. The Lakota and other nations noted the grass as a reliable indicator of fertile, deep soils suitable for encampment. Ethnobotanical records describe limited documented medicinal uses compared to the plant's dominant role as forage, fiber, and ecological landmark.

• Lakota (Teton Sioux), Great Plains, pre-20th century - stems and leaves

  Ethnobotanical records document Lakota use of big bluestem stems as a material reference for identifying prime bison grazing lands and campsites; the grass itself was not a primary medicinal resource in recorded Lakota plant knowledge.

• Omaha and Ponca peoples, Great Plains - leaves

  Melvin Gilmore's 1919 ethnobotanical survey of Plains peoples noted big bluestem as a culturally recognized prairie dominant whose presence signaled deep, moisture-retaining soils, valued for practical site selection rather than documented medicinal preparation.

Big bluestem is not known to be toxic to humans or livestock; it is a major historical forage grass. Pollen may contribute to late-summer grass pollen allergies in sensitive individuals.

This information is provided for historical and educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making decisions related to your health.

Morphology (Plant Structure & Identification)

• Root System

  Exceptionally deep fibrous root system reaching 6–12 feet into the soil, making transplanting of established plants difficult but conferring extreme drought tolerance; roots are the primary carbon and nutrient storage organ and explain the slow first-year top growth.

• Stem

  Stout, upright culms reach 4–8 feet tall by late summer, developing a distinctive blue-green color at the base that gives the plant its common name; stems remain upright through winter, providing structure and wildlife habitat.

• Leaves

  Flat, arching blue-green blades 12–24 inches long that develop vivid copper, burgundy, and orange tones in fall; yellowing or rust-colored spotting mid-season can indicate rust fungus pressure, especially in humid conditions with poor airflow.

• Flowers

  Branched seed heads with three to five finger-like spikes resembling a turkey's foot emerge in late summer, attracting native bees and providing seeds for grassland birds through fall and winter.

• Fruit

  Narrow, hairy achenes ripen in fall and self-sow moderately; seed viability is improved by cold stratification, and the seeds are a documented food source for sparrows, juncos, and other grassland birds.

Known Varieties

Common cultivars worth knowing

• Rain Dance

  A compact selection reaching 4–5 feet rather than the species' full 6–8 feet, with excellent blue summer color and reliable fall red-orange tones; more manageable in smaller garden spaces.

  Best for: Smaller prairie gardens and front-of-border placements

• Blackhawks

  Known for exceptionally dark burgundy-purple fall color, among the deepest of any big bluestem selection; full species height of 5–7 feet.

  Best for: Bold fall color and ornamental prairie plantings

• Red October

  Selected for intense scarlet-red fall foliage color that persists longer into winter than the straight species; vigorous and heat-tolerant.

  Best for: Warm climates and extended fall display

• Pawnee Buttes

  A spreading, semi-prostrate form naturally found in Colorado shortgrass prairie; reaches only 18–24 inches tall and sprawls outward, functioning more like a groundcover than an upright grass.

  Best for: Low-water groundcover applications and slopes