Does it need a lot of water?

Once established, it is quite drought tolerant.

When should I cut it back?

Wait until late winter or early spring to cut it down to the ground.

Plant guide

Big bluestem.

Andropogon gerardi

Pronounced an-dro-PO-gon jer-AR-dee-eye

Also known as Big Bluestem, Blue-stem-grass, Turkeyfoot, big blue, tall bluestem, Bluejoint

Big bluestem is a tall, iconic grass of the North American prairie. It is known for its striking, three-part seed heads that resemble a turkey foot. This hardy perennial is a fantastic choice for naturalizing large landscapes.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Perennial grass
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 6 to 8 feet
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 4 to 9
Bloom time: Late summer to early autumn

Care

Plant this grass in a spot with plenty of sun to keep it upright and healthy. Watch for excessive flopping, which often means it needs more light or less fertilizer. It is very drought tolerant once established in your garden.

Watering: Water regularly during the first year, but mature plants handle dry spells well.
Feeding: A light application of compost in spring is usually plenty for this vigorous grower.
Pruning: Cut the foliage back to the ground in late winter or early spring before new growth appears.
Repotting: Divide large clumps every few years to keep the plant vigorous and prevent the center from dying out.
Soil: Well drained loam, clay, or sand
Soil pH: 5.0 to 8.0
Temperature: -35 to 35°C
Humidity: 30 to 70%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 10 plus years.
Deer and rabbits: High

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of drainage holes
Stunted growth
Center of the clump dying out

Safety

People: There is no known toxicity to humans.
Children: The sharp leaf blades can cause paper-like cuts on sensitive skin, so keep children away from dense patches.
Contact allergens: The stiff, sharp leaf edges can cause minor skin abrasions if handled without gloves.
Airborne allergens: The pollen can be a moderate trigger for those with grass allergies during late summer.
Edibility: This grass is not intended for human consumption.

How to identify it

Tall, clump forming perennial grass
Blue green foliage in summer
Distinctive turkey foot seed heads
Copper or bronze fall color

Height: 1.2 to 2.4m
Spread: 0.6 to 0.9m
Leaves: green, blue-green, bronze, deciduous
Flowers: purple, red, tan, 5 to 10cm
Fruit: tan, brown, Autumn

Problems to watch for

Rust · Fungal spots may appear on leaves during periods of high humidity.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: division, seed
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: Leave the dried foliage standing through the winter to provide shelter for insects and visual interest in the garden. Cut back to a few inches above the ground in early spring before new growth appears.
In containers: It is generally too large for containers unless you have a very deep, oversized pot.

Division

Dig up the clump in early spring.
Use a sharp spade to divide the root mass into smaller sections.
Replant the divisions immediately at the same depth.

Plant this grass in groups to provide structural support for taller wildflowers.

Grows well with

Purple Coneflower · They share similar sun and soil requirements in a prairie garden.
Black-eyed Susan · These provide a bright contrast to the tall, green foliage of the grass.
Switchgrass · They create a naturalistic prairie aesthetic when planted together.

Similar species

Little Bluestem · It is a smaller relative that works well in tighter spaces.

Science

Family: Poaceae
Genus: Andropogon
Order: Poales
Class: Liliopsida
Native range: Central and eastern North America.
Conservation: It is a foundational species for prairie restoration and is not currently threatened.

It thrives in open, sunny prairies where its deep root system allows it to survive fire and drought.

Value to wildlife: larval host plant, nesting material, winter cover
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: prairie restoration, ornamental grass, erosion control, wildlife habitat

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 8/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 4/9
Nutrients: 4/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need a lot of water?: Once established, it is quite drought tolerant.
When should I cut it back?: Wait until late winter or early spring to cut it down to the ground.

Where the name comes from

The name Andropogon comes from the Greek words for man and beard, referring to the hairy flower stalks, while gerardi honors the French botanist Louis Gerard.

Good to know

It can grow up to 8 feet tall in ideal conditions.
The roots can extend 6 to 10 feet into the soil.
It turns a beautiful copper color in the winter.
It was once the dominant grass across much of the American Midwest.

Also in

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This guide was generated with AI on October 19, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.