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.

Indiangrass

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Sorghastrum nutans

Last reviewed: August 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.

Toxicity unknown

Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

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

AL, AR, AZ, CO and 39 more states

Deer

Resistant (per Prairie Moon Nursery)

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 437 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Browse plants for this ecoregion

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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.

Growing Indiangrass

Grow Indiangrass in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 36 to 84 inches tall and spread 18 to 36 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

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.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

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, generated by an AI image model from the real yard photo. It replants the yard with native plants chosen to fit that yard's ecoregion, sun, and HOA strictness. The finished planting will look different.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

Ready to grow Indiangrass? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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