How much sun does Stipa spartea need?

Stipa spartea grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Stipa spartea bloom?

Stipa spartea blooms in May and June.

Where is Stipa spartea native?

Stipa spartea is native to CO, IA, IL, IN and 14 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

What pollinators does Stipa spartea attract?

Stipa spartea draws wind pollinated.

Stipa spartea

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Last reviewed: October 2026

Stipa spartea is a perennial grass native to CO, IA, IL, IN and 14 more states. It blooms in May and June. The flowers draw wind pollinated.

Toxicity unknown

Stipa spartea 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.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

24"–48" H × 18"–24" W

Bloom

May, Jun

Native to

CO, IA, IL, IN and 14 more states

Pollinators

wind pollinated

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 458 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Central Irregular Plains Northwestern Glaciated Plains Northwestern Great Plains Great Plains Western Corn Belt Plains North Central Hardwood Forests Driftless Area Southeastern Wisconsin Till Plains Central Corn Belt Plains

A tall, upright bunchgrass with narrow rolled leaves and dramatic seed heads bearing long twisted awns up to several inches, giving it a shaggy look at seed. Forms dense, deep-rooted clumps in tallgrass prairie.

Growing Stipa spartea

Grow Stipa spartea in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 24 to 48 inches tall and spread 18 to 24 inches wide.

Wildlife value

The bunched structure provides nesting habitat for ground-nesting prairie birds, and seeds feed small mammals.

Common questions

How much sun does Stipa spartea need?: Stipa spartea grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Stipa spartea bloom?: Stipa spartea blooms in May and June.
Where is Stipa spartea native?: Stipa spartea is native to CO, IA, IL, IN and 14 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What pollinators does Stipa spartea attract?: Stipa spartea draws wind pollinated.

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

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

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

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