Sideoats Grama (Bouteloua curtipendula)

Sideoats Grama (Bouteloua curtipendula) is a small, clump-forming native perennial grass with oat-like seed spikes hanging from one side of its stems. Narrow blue-gray leaves turn golden brown in fall, sometimes developing red-orange tones.

Small, purple-tinged flowers appear in summer and fade to tan as they mature. This drought-tolerant grass prefers full sun and well-drained soil.

Growing details

• Plant type: Perennial ornamental grass
• Origin: North to South America; Georgia native
• Mature height: 1–2.5 feet
• Mature spread: 1.5–2 feet
• Spacing: Approximately 1.5 feet apart
• Hardiness: USDA zones 4–9
• Light: Full sun preferred; part sun listed
• Soil: Well-drained; avoid wet soil
• Flowers: Purple-tinged, fading to tan
• Bloom season: Summer
• Fall foliage: Golden brown, sometimes with red-orange hues

Care and garden use

This low-maintenance grass tolerates a range of soils provided they drain well. Cut to the ground in winter.

Use in prairies, meadows, waterwise gardens, mass plantings, naturalized areas, and native gardens. Pair with yucca, aster, or lavender where growing conditions suit each plant.

Image credits: Erutuon, Bouteloua curtipendula closeup of spikes in bloom, CC BY-SA 4.0; Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, Bouteloua curtipendula kz03, CC BY-SA 4.0; Matt Lavin from Bozeman, Montana, USA, Bouteloua curtipendula (3903449523), CC BY-SA 2.0. Plants naturally vary in appearance and may differ from the images shown.