Does it need a lot of water?

No, it is highly drought tolerant once established.

Can I grow it in a container?

Yes, it grows well in pots with excellent drainage.

Plant guide

Blue grama.

Bouteloua gracilis

Pronounced boo-te-LOO-ah gra-SIL-iss

Also known as Blue Grama, blue grama grass, eyelash grass, graceful grama grass

Blue grama is a tough, drought tolerant native grass that forms charming, low growing clumps. It is famous for its unique seed heads that look like tiny eyelashes or eyebrows floating above the foliage. This grass is a fantastic choice for naturalistic landscapes or low maintenance lawns.

Another photo of Blue grama — Photo by Stephanie Tran (CC BY) via gbif

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: 1 to 2 feet
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 3 to 10
Bloom time: Mid to late summer

Care

Plant this grass in a spot with plenty of sun and well draining soil to keep it happy. Watch for yellowing leaves if the soil stays too wet for too long. It is very hardy and needs little attention once it gets established.

Watering: Water deeply but infrequently once the plant is established to encourage deep roots.
Feeding: A light application of balanced fertilizer in early spring is plenty.
Pruning: Cut the foliage back to a few inches above the ground in late winter or early spring.
Repotting: Divide the clumps every few years if they start to look thin in the center.
Soil: Well drained, sandy or rocky soil
Soil pH: 6.5 to 8.0
Temperature: -30 to 40°C
Humidity: 10 to 50%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years.
Deer and rabbits: High

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water sitting on the surface for too long.
Stunted growth during the active season.

Safety

People: There are no known reports of toxicity in humans.
Children: The grass blades are sharp enough to cause minor paper cuts if handled roughly by children.
Contact allergens: The foliage can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals due to fine hairs.
Airborne allergens: The pollen can trigger seasonal allergies in susceptible people during the late summer bloom.
Edibility: This plant is not intended for human consumption.

How to identify it

Fine textured, grayish green foliage
Distinctive curved eyelash shaped seed heads
Forms dense, low growing tufts
Seed heads turn tan when mature

Height: 0.2 to 0.45m
Spread: 0.2 to 0.4m
Leaves: blue-green, tan, deciduous
Flowers: tan, purple, 2 to 5cm

Problems to watch for

RustCommon
DehydrationUncommon
Leaf SpotUncommon
Root RotUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: division, seed
When to plant: spring, early autumn
Overwintering: Leave the foliage standing through winter to protect the crown and provide winter interest, then trim back to the ground in early spring before new growth begins.
In containers: It performs well in containers at least 30 cm deep provided the soil is gritty and fast draining.

Division

1. Dig up the clump in early spring.
2. Use a sharp spade to divide the root ball into smaller sections.
3. Replant immediately in well draining soil.

Seed

1. Sow seeds in a sunny spot in spring.
2. Lightly cover with soil.
3. Keep moist until germination.

Group this grass with other sun loving perennials that prefer lean, well draining soil.

Grows well with

Purple Coneflower · They share similar water needs and provide a nice contrast in texture.
Little Bluestem · This grass pairs well for a naturalistic prairie aesthetic.

Similar species

Side oats grama · It is a related species with a similar growth habit but larger stature.

Science

Family: Poaceae
Genus: Bouteloua
Order: Poales
Class: Liliopsida
Native range: North American prairies and plains.
Conservation: This species is widespread and secure across its native range.

It thrives in dry, open grasslands where it competes well with other low growing prairie species.

Value to wildlife: larval host plant, seeds provide food for birds
Pollinators: bees, butterflies, moths
Uses: ornamental grass, xeriscaping, meadow planting, erosion control

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 4/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 8/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 2/9
Nutrients: 3/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need a lot of water?: No, it is highly drought tolerant once established.
Can I grow it in a container?: Yes, it grows well in pots with excellent drainage.

Where the name comes from

The genus honors the Spanish botanist brothers Claudio and Esteban Boutelou, while the species name gracilis means slender.

Good to know

It is the state grass of Colorado and New Mexico.
The seed heads are held horizontally, making them easy to identify.
It is highly resilient to foot traffic once established.
It goes dormant and turns a beautiful straw color in winter.

Also in

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.