Indian Grass

Where to Plant

• Sunlight: Give this native prairie grass at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily to keep the stems upright and sturdy. Planting in partial shade often results in weak, flopping stems that cannot support the seed heads.
• Soil: Indian Grass adapts easily to a wide range of soil types, including clay and sandy textures, as long as the site drains well. Avoid planting in overly rich or highly amended soil, as excessive fertility causes leggy growth rather than a tight, vertical habit.

Watering Requirements

Water consistently during the first growing season to help the deep root system establish, checking the soil moisture weekly. Once established, Indian Grass is highly drought-tolerant, though occasional deep watering during extreme dry spells helps the metallic blue-green foliage remain vibrant and prevents premature dormancy.

Pruning Tips

Treat this warm-season grass like a perennial and cut the entire clump back to about 3 to 4 inches above the ground in early spring. This annual "haircut" removes the winter-worn brown foliage and clears the path for fresh, vigorous shoots to emerge from the crown as soil temperatures rise.

Fertilizer Needs

This native grass generally thrives without supplemental feeding, but you can apply a light, balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring if your soil is exceptionally poor. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, especially late in the season, because they encourage rapid, weak growth that will cause the plant to flop over under its own weight.