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Plains Bluegrass

Poa arida

Last reviewed: June 2026

Plains Bluegrass (Poa arida)
Photo: Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. 3 vols. Charles Scribner's Sons, New York. Vol. 1: 260. Courtesy of Kentucky Native Plant Society. Scanned by Omnitek Inc. / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

12"–24" H × 6"–12" W

Bloom

May, Jun, Jul

Native to

CO, IA, IL, IN and 14 more states

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Chihuahuan Deserts

Plains bluegrass is a drought-tolerant native grass that forms neat, compact clumps. It produces delicate flower spikes in late spring through summer and maintains a tidy appearance throughout the growing season.

In an HOA neighborhood

Plains Bluegrass is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.

Works well in: front yard, foundation, street edge, mid zone.

  • May go dormant in extreme drought conditions

Wildlife value

This grass provides seeds for birds and nesting material for small wildlife. The flowers attract small beneficial insects and contribute to the native grassland ecosystem.

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 Plains Bluegrass fit your yard? Open it in Pollinator Patch to check it against your sun, soil, and HOA-conscious filters.

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