Big Bluestem Grass

Andropogon gerardii

American Beauties®

Native Tallgrass Prairie Dominant with Iconic Turkey Foot Seed Heads and Dramatic Fall Color
Thrives in Zones 4-10
Grows 4-6 ft Tall, 2-3 ft Wide
Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Pollution Tolerant
Native - Attracts Butterflies

$58⁷⁰

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Plant Size

#2 Container

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Big Bluestem requires at least 6 to 8 hours of full, direct sun daily to maintain its structural integrity. While it can survive in partial shade, the stems will likely flop over and the iconic blue-green and purple hues will be much less vibrant.
Soil: This grass is incredibly adaptable and thrives in anything from heavy clay to rocky slopes. If you have extremely sandy soil, mixing in a bit of compost helps hold moisture while the deep roots establish themselves to reach the water table.

Watering Requirements

During the first growing season, water your Big Bluestem twice a week to ensure the root system reaches deep into the soil profile. Once established, this native grass is exceptionally drought tolerant and typically relies on natural rainfall alone. If you overwater a mature plant or provide inconsistent irrigation, the grass may grow too tall and weak, causing the center to splay open.

Pruning Tips

Since this grass provides excellent winter interest and shelter for birds, wait until late winter or very early spring to cut it back. Use sharp shears to trim the entire clump down to about 3 or 4 inches above the ground before the new green shoots emerge from the base. This "haircut" clears out the old growth so the plant can focus all its energy on the fresh, vigorous stems of the new season.

Fertilizer Needs

Big Bluestem actually prefers lean soil, so a single application of a balanced, slow release fertilizer in early spring is all it needs. Avoid using high nitrogen fertilizers late in the summer because this encourages succulent growth that won't harden off properly before the first frost. Excessive feeding can also lead to "lodging," where the plant becomes top heavy and falls over under its own weight.

Delivery and Shipping

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics	Native, Fall Color/Interest, Deer-resistant, Slopes/Erosion Control, Low Maintenance, Heat Tolerant, Drought resistant
Hardiness Zone	4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Sunlight	Full sun
Height	4-6 ft
Width	2-3 ft
Watering Needs	Moderate
Preferred Soil	Clay, Sandy
Growth Rate	Moderate
Growth Habit	Bushy, Compact, Spreading, Upright
Plant Life Cycle	Perennial
Blooms In	Summer, Fall
Flower Color	Purple, Red, Orange, Yellow
Native	Yes
Suitable Space	Outdoors
Plant Name	Grass
Botanical Name	Andropogon gerardii
Species	gerardii
Class	Poales
Does Not Ship To	AK, AZ, CA, HI, ID, MT, PR, NV, OR, WA

Tallgrass prairie used to cover vast swaths of the Midwest, where the sky was big and the buffalo roamed. Those prairies don't exist like they used to, but when they did - Big Bluestem Grass (Andropogon gerardii) was the king! It was the dominant Grass that grew there, providing breathtaking seasonal color change and food and protection for wildlife.

Also known as Turkey Foot Grass because of the forked seed heads that resemble their nickname, Bluestem sends up yellowish-reddish-orange seed heads from July to October. Columnar in form, Big Bluestem quickly grows to its full-sized 4-6 feet in height while remaining a space-saving 2-3 feet in width.

Just make sure you plant it where you and your neighbors can enjoy watching it go from gray to blue-green in spring, to green with red tinges in summer and finally to reddish bronze with lavender tones in autumn after frost. These native grasses are wonderfully adaptable throughout a wide swath of the US, Bluestem does fantastic throughout the USDA hardiness zones 4 through 10!

Planting and Application:

Big Bluestem makes a striking background for a naturalized border. It is the backbone of a wildflower and pollinator garden. It easily fits into a contemporary garden scheme, too. We know that you will love this tall stiff grass and its architectural form so much you will be looking for all the creative ways you can use it in your garden! Wildlife-friendly and easy to care for, Bluestem is perfect for the sun garden environment and provides winter interest!

Thankfully you don't need a vast prairie to enjoy the gifts of Big Bluestem - a neglected little corner of your yard will do. We'll bet, though, that you'll want to plant it in more prominent places than that corner! Try mixing Big Bluestem with its little brother Little Bluestem and its many colorful cousins for a mixed grass border or modern prairie garden or Rock Garden! Dress these grasses up or down to suit your landscape style however you'd like!

Tall Erect Blue-Green Foliage
Fantastic Fall Colors
Reddish/Orange/Yellow Forked Seed Heads - Resemble a Turkey's Foot
Hardy Native Prairie Warm-Season Grass
Backdrops, Borders, Vertical Interest, Winter Interest & Wildlife-Friendly

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Big Bluestem is a warm-season ornamental native grass and thrives in dry, infertile soil where most other plants would shrivel. Mature plants have deep roots that survive drought and even fire. A true hardy native, it does just fine in ordinary garden soil and even wet soil, too! It also tolerates salt and browsing by deer! Any well-drained soil environment with moderate to low moisture suits these grasses just fine! Each spring, bundle up your grass and prune it back, but have patience - warm-season grasses take their time emerging in the spring.

Strongest Stems in Full Sun
Low Moisture Needs Once Established
Widely Adaptable to All Well-Drained Soil Types
Easy to Grow & Low Maintenance
Prune Back Clumps in Early Spring

Hardy, easy-care, and native! This kaleidoscope of color will light up your garden all year. Order your Big Bluestem Grass from Nature Hills Nursery today!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is big bluestem grass invasive?

Big Bluestem is not invasive and is actually a well-behaved native grass that stays in clumps rather than spreading aggressively. This prairie native adapts well to zones 4-10 and maintains a tidy 2-3 foot width even at full maturity. Plant it confidently in borders or naturalized areas where you want reliable, architectural structure.

What does prairie grass look like?

Big Bluestem prairie grass grows 4-6 feet tall with a columnar form, displaying blue-green summer foliage that transforms to reddish-bronze with lavender tones in fall. The distinctive forked seed heads appear July through October, earning it the nickname "Turkey Foot Grass." Plant in full sun for best color development, available at naturehills.com.

What planting zones is Big Bluestem Grass hardy in?

Big Bluestem Grass thrives in USDA hardiness zones 4 through 10, making it adaptable across most of the United States. This native prairie grass tolerates a wide range of climates from cold northern regions to hot southern areas. Plant it in full sun for best results.

How often should I water Big Bluestem Grass after planting and once established?

Big Bluestem is drought-tolerant once established and rarely needs supplemental watering. Water newly planted grass regularly for the first growing season to help roots develop. Once established, this native prairie grass thrives on natural rainfall alone in zones 4-10.

Should Big Bluestem Grass be cut back in fall or spring?

Cut Big Bluestem in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. The seed heads provide beautiful winter interest and wildlife value through the cold months. Cut stems back to 4-6 inches above ground in February or March for best results.

Big Bluestem Grass

Andropogon gerardii