Does it need much water?

No, it is very drought tolerant and prefers to dry out between waterings.

Can I grow it in a pot?

It does well in containers if they have excellent drainage.

Plant guide

Sandberg bluegrass.

Poa secunda

Pronounced POH-uh seh-KUN-duh

Also known as Canby's bluegrass, Nevada bluegrass, Pine bluegrass, Sandberg bluegrass, Sandberg's bluegrass, alkali bluegrass, big bluegrass, curly bluegrass

Pine bluegrass — Photo by Matt Lavin (CC BY) via iNaturalist

Sandberg bluegrass is a hardy, cool season bunchgrass native to western North America. It is a fantastic choice for naturalizing in dry, sunny landscapes. This grass stays compact and provides a lovely texture to meadows or rock gardens.

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 9
Bloom time: Late spring to early summer

Care

Plant this grass in well draining soil where it can soak up plenty of sun. It is quite drought tolerant once established, so avoid overwatering. Keep an eye out for yellowing leaves, which usually signal that the soil is staying too wet.

Watering: Water sparingly once established, allowing the soil to dry out completely between sessions.
Feeding: A light application of balanced fertilizer in early spring is plenty.
Pruning: Trim back dead foliage in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges.
Repotting: Only repot if the plant becomes root bound or you need to divide the clump.
Soil: Well draining rocky or sandy soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 8.0
Temperature: -40 to 35°C
Humidity: 20 to 50%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of drainage holes
Water sitting on the surface
Plant looks crowded in the pot

Safety

People: There are no known toxic properties for humans.
Children: The blades can be sharp, so keep an eye on young children playing near dense clumps.
Contact allergens: The foliage can be sharp and may cause minor skin irritation if handled roughly.
Airborne allergens: The pollen can cause seasonal allergies in sensitive individuals.
Edibility: This grass is not intended for human consumption.

How to identify it

Dense tufted bunchgrass growth habit
Narrow, folded or rolled leaf blades
Small, pale green or purplish spikelets
Late spring to early summer flowering period
Fibrous, shallow root system

Height: 0.2 to 0.6m
Spread: 0.15 to 0.4m
Leaves: green, blue-green, deciduous
Flowers: green, straw, 0.5 to 1.5cm

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: seed, division
When to plant: fall, early spring
Overwintering: Leave the foliage standing through winter to protect the crown, then trim back in early spring before new growth appears.
In containers: It grows well in containers at least 30 cm deep with very gritty, fast-draining soil.

Seed

Sow seeds in late fall or early spring.
Cover lightly with soil.
Keep moist until germination.

Division

Dig up the clump in early spring.
Separate into smaller sections.
Replant immediately and water well.

Group this grass with other low-water prairie plants to create a low-maintenance meadow.

Grows well with

Common Yarrow · They share similar dry soil requirements.
California Poppy · They both thrive in sunny, well-drained spots.

Similar species

Kentucky Bluegrass · It is a related species but requires much more moisture.

Science

Family: Poaceae
Genus: Poa
Order: Poales
Class: Liliopsida
Native range: Western North America
Conservation: It is not currently listed as endangered or threatened.

It thrives in open, dry habitats where it survives by going dormant during the hottest, driest parts of the summer.

Value to wildlife: larval host plant, nesting material, seed source for birds
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: restoration planting, erosion control, ornamental bunchgrass, 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: 2/9
Nutrients: 3/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need much water?: No, it is very drought tolerant and prefers to dry out between waterings.
Can I grow it in a pot?: It does well in containers if they have excellent drainage.

Where the name comes from

Poa is the ancient Greek word for fodder, while secunda describes the one-sided flower clusters.

Good to know

It is one of the first grasses to green up in the spring.
The name secunda refers to the one-sided arrangement of the spikelets.
It is incredibly drought tolerant once established.

Also in

Drought-tolerant plants

Keep your sandberg bluegrass growing

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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.