How much sun does Eastern gama grass need?

Eastern gama grass grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Eastern gama grass bloom?

Eastern gama grass blooms in April, May, June, July, August, September, and October.

Where is Eastern gama grass native?

Eastern gama grass (Tripsacum floridanum) is native to FL, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

Eastern gama grass

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Tripsacum floridanum

Last reviewed: October 2026

Eastern gama grass (Tripsacum floridanum) is a perennial grass native to FL. It blooms in April, May, June, July, August, September, and October. The flowers draw wind.

Toxicity unknown

Eastern gama grass (Tripsacum floridanum) 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

medium

Size

24"–36" H × 24"–36" W

Bloom

Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Native to

Pollinators

wind

Before you buy

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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

Southern Coastal Plain Southern Florida Coastal Plain

A compact, clumping evergreen grass with arching blue-green blades and tall seed spikes through the warm season. It holds a neat fountain shape without spreading aggressively.

Growing Eastern gama grass

Grow Eastern gama grass in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 24 to 36 inches tall and spread 24 to 36 inches wide.

Wildlife value

The seed heads feed ground-foraging birds, and the dense clump offers shelter for small wildlife.

Common questions

How much sun does Eastern gama grass need?: Eastern gama grass grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Eastern gama grass bloom?: Eastern gama grass blooms in April, May, June, July, August, September, and October.
Where is Eastern gama grass native?: Eastern gama grass (Tripsacum floridanum) is native to FL, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What pollinators does Eastern gama grass attract?: Eastern gama grass draws wind.

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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