Big Bluestem
Andropogon gerardii
Last reviewed: June 2026
Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) is a tall native prairie grass found across most of the United States. This drought-tolerant grass blooms from September through November and provides important habitat for native bees.
The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Big Bluestem as toxic to livestock.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
36"–72" H × 12"–24" W
Bloom
Sep, Oct, Nov
Native to
AL, AR, AZ, CO and 39 more states
Pollinators
bees
Browse plants for this ecoregion
Big Bluestem is a tall prairie grass that forms attractive upright clumps with blue-green foliage that turns bronze and orange in fall. It produces distinctive three-pronged seed heads in late summer that persist through winter, adding seasonal interest to the landscape.
Growing Big Bluestem
Grow Big Bluestem in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 36 to 72 inches tall and spread 12 to 24 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Big Bluestem takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- Height exceeds typical HOA-friendly range
Wildlife value
This native grass provides excellent habitat for ground-nesting birds and serves as a host plant for several butterfly species. The seeds are valuable food for quail, songbirds, and small mammals.
Common questions
- Where does Big Bluestem naturally grow?
- Big Bluestem is native to most of the United States, ranging from Maine to Montana and south to Florida and Arizona. It was historically the dominant grass species across the Great Plains and tallgrass prairie regions.
- When does Big Bluestem bloom and what does it look like?
- Big Bluestem produces its distinctive three-pronged seed heads from September through November. The flowering structures resemble a turkey's foot, which gives the plant one of its common names.
- What pollinators visit Big Bluestem?
- Big Bluestem is primarily wind-pollinated, but its seeds and foliage support various native bees and other beneficial insects. The grass also serves as a host plant for several butterfly and moth species.
- How tall does Big Bluestem grow?
- Big Bluestem typically grows 3 to 8 feet tall, though it can reach up to 10 feet in ideal conditions. Its deep root system can extend 8 to 15 feet into the soil, making it extremely drought tolerant.
- Is Big Bluestem toxic to livestock?
- The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Big Bluestem as toxic to livestock.
- Is Big Bluestem HOA-friendly?
- Big Bluestem takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Native range data from the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
Does Big Bluestem fit your yard? Open it in Pollinator Patch to check it against your sun, soil, and HOA-conscious filters.