Indian Grass
Indian grass is a clumping, native, ornamental grass with bluish green leaves. Golden brown spikelets appear above the foliage from midsummer into autumn. In fall, its leaves turn yellow-orange.
Indian grass is very well adapted to Colorado Springs' erratic weather changes. It can be a nice choice for a low-maintenance landscape that features native plants.
Indian Grass
Indian grass is a clumping, native, ornamental grass with bluish green leaves. Golden brown spikelets appear above the foliage from midsummer into autumn. In fall, its leaves turn yellow-orange.
Indian grass is very well adapted to Colorado Springs' erratic weather changes. It can be a nice choice for a low-maintenance landscape that features native plants.
Plant details
Botanic Name
Sorghastrum nutans
Pronunciation
sor-GAS-trum NUT-ans
Mature Height
3 to 5 ft.
Mature Spread
2 to 3 ft.
Water usage
One Droplet: Water twice per month or less, once established.
Two Droplets: Water about once per week, once established.
Three Droplets: Water about twice per week, once established.
Flower Color
tan
Bloom time
summer to autumn
Colorado Native
Yes
Natural Habitat
prairies and eastern United States
Light Requirements
sun
Cold Hardiness
USDA zones 3-8
Elevation Limit
hardy to 7,000 ft.
Performance
Indian grass has grown well at the Xeriscape Demonstration Gardens. It has a nice blue-green color during the summer and showy seedheads in fall. Also, the clumps stay upright in adverse weather.
Maintenance
Cut down previous year's leaves and stems in spring before new growth appears.