Indiangrass
Sorghastrum nutans
Last reviewed: July 2026
Sorghastrum nutans (Wood Grass) is a native prairie grass found across most of the United States, blooming with golden seed heads from July through September. This drought-tolerant species thrives in full sun and provides habitat for bees and beetles.
The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Indiangrass as toxic to livestock.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
36"–84" H × 18"–36" W
Bloom
Aug, Sep, Oct
Native to
TX, OK, KS, NE and 25 more states
Browse plants for this ecoregion
A tall, upright warm-season bunchgrass with blue-green blades that turn deep orange and gold in fall. In late summer it sends up narrow, feathery plumes of golden-bronze seed heads that catch the light and add strong vertical structure. Its bold height and rich autumn color make it a signature accent in prairie plantings and mixed borders.
In an HOA neighborhood
Indiangrass is an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 3 out of 5.
Works well in: mid zone, backyard only.
- tall stature can read as unkempt in a formal front yard
- best cut back in late winter
Wildlife value
Host plant for Pepper and salt skipper.
Seeds feed songbirds through fall and winter, the clumps shelter wildlife, and the foliage is a larval host for several skipper butterflies.
Common questions
- When does Sorghastrum nutans bloom?
- Wood Grass blooms from July through September, producing distinctive golden-bronze seed heads that are highly ornamental in late summer and fall.
- What pollinators visit Sorghastrum nutans?
- Wood Grass attracts bees and beetles, which visit the flowers for pollen and nectar during the blooming period.
- Where is Sorghastrum nutans native?
- Wood Grass is native to most of the United States, ranging from coast to coast and found in prairies, meadows, and open woodlands across 48 states.
- What growing conditions does Wood Grass prefer?
- Sorghastrum nutans thrives in full sun with low to moderate water requirements, making it an excellent choice for drought-tolerant landscaping and prairie restorations.
- Is Indiangrass toxic to livestock?
- The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Indiangrass as toxic to livestock.
- Is Indiangrass HOA-friendly?
- Indiangrass is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.
See Indiangrass in a real native yard
Indiangrass is one of the natives used in these Patch Vision yard designs. Tap any one to see the before and after.
The after image is a Patch Vision preview. It replants the real yard photo with native plants chosen to fit that yard's ecoregion, sun, and HOA strictness.
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 Indiangrass fit your yard? Open it in Pollinator Patch to check it against your sun, soil, and HOA-conscious filters.