When should I cut it back?

Cut it back to the ground in late winter or early spring before new growth begins.

Does it need fertilizer?

No, it actually prefers lean soil and may flop over if given too much fertilizer.

Plant guide

Little bluestem.

Schizachyrium scoparium

Pronounced skiz-uh-KIR-ee-um skoh-PAIR-ee-um

Also known as Little Bluestem, Prairie Beard Grass, beard grass, broom beardgrass, broom bluestem, small bluestem

Little bluestem is a beautiful native grass that brings stunning color to your garden throughout the seasons. It starts with blue green blades in summer and turns a rich copper red once autumn arrives. It is a tough plant that thrives in many different conditions.

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: 3 feet
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 3 to 9
Bloom time: Late summer to fall

Care

Plant this grass in a spot with plenty of sun to keep it from flopping over. Watch for signs of overwatering like yellowing leaves, as it prefers to dry out between drinks. You really only need to cut it back once a year in late winter.

Watering: Water deeply once established but allow the soil to dry out completely between sessions.
Feeding: This plant rarely needs fertilizer and prefers lean soil to stay upright.
Pruning: Cut the foliage down to a few inches above the ground in late winter before new growth starts.
Repotting: If growing in a container, divide the clump every few years to keep it healthy.
Soil: Well draining, sandy, or rocky soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 8.0
Temperature: -35 to 35°C
Humidity: 20 to 60%
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 running straight through the pot without soaking in

Safety

People: There are no known toxic properties for humans.
Children: The foliage can be sharp, so it is best to keep small children from playing directly in the clumps.
Contact allergens: The sharp leaf blades can cause minor skin irritation if handled roughly.
Airborne allergens: The pollen may cause mild seasonal allergies in sensitive individuals.
Edibility: This grass is not intended for human consumption.

How to identify it

Blue green summer foliage
Copper red autumn color
Fluffy white seed heads
Clumping growth habit
Flat leaf blades

Height: 0.6 to 1.2m
Spread: 0.45 to 0.6m
Leaves: blue-green, copper, red, deciduous
Flowers: silver, purple, 5 to 10cm
Fruit: white, Fall

Problems to watch for

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

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

Check your little bluestem from a photo

Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your plant and tells you what's wrong and what to try first.

Growing it

Propagation: division, seed
When to plant: spring, fall
Overwintering: Leave the dried foliage standing through the winter to provide interest and habitat for beneficial insects. Cut back to the ground in late winter or early spring.
In containers: It grows well in containers, provided the pot has excellent drainage and is at least 30 cm wide.

Division

1. Dig up the entire clump in early spring.
2. Use a sharp spade to divide the root ball into smaller sections.
3. Replant the divisions immediately at the same depth as before.

Plant in groups of three or more to create a naturalistic, meadow-like drift.

Grows well with

Purple Coneflower · They share similar moisture needs and provide a nice color contrast.
Black-eyed Susan · This pairing creates a classic prairie aesthetic.

Similar species

Big Bluestem · It is a much larger relative that also features blue-tinted foliage.

Science

Family: Poaceae
Genus: Schizachyrium
Order: Poales
Class: Liliopsida
Native range: North America
Conservation: It is a widely distributed native species and is not currently of conservation concern.

It thrives in open, sunny prairies and meadows where it competes well in dry, nutrient-poor soils.

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

Through the year

JFMAMJJASOND

Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

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

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

When should I cut it back?: Cut it back to the ground in late winter or early spring before new growth begins.
Does it need fertilizer?: No, it actually prefers lean soil and may flop over if given too much fertilizer.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Schizachyrium comes from the Greek words for split and chaff, referring to the split racemes. The specific epithet scoparium means broom-like, describing the plant's growth habit.

Good to know

It was once a dominant grass of the tallgrass prairie.
The foliage turns a beautiful reddish bronze color in the fall.
It is incredibly hardy and tolerates poor, dry soils.

Also in

Keep your little bluestem growing

This page is a general guide. Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked.

Get the app

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.