Sideoats grama is an underused ornamental grass that makes a graceful, understated landscape plant. It’s extremely low maintenance and attracts birds and butterflies. Here’s how to grow this native grass.
Unlike many popular ornamental grasses which are big and bold, sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula) has an understated beauty. It’s a compact grass that grows only 2 feet tall. Its foliage is bluish-green and its flowers are purple. Oat-like seeds develop on the sides of stalks, causing them to gently arch.
Sideoats grama is native to the desert southwest. But it’s also native to most of the Western Hemisphere. It has a tremendous natural range that extends from Canada to Argentina and is found in every US state except Alaska.
It’s extremely resilient and makes a tough, low-maintenance landscape plant. In its native habitat, it can survive on as little as 6″ of annual rainfall.
Sideoats grama is great for attracting wildlife. Birds and small mammals eat its seeds and use the foliage to build nests and provide shelter. It’s a host plant for many species of butterflies and moths. Some species of native bees nest within the foliage.
Why I Like This Plant
- Attractive compact grass that works in small spaces
- Low water use and low maintenance
- Attracts birds, butterflies, moths, bees
- No thorns, non-toxic
What to Watch Out For
Sideoats grama reseeds readily so you may find volunteers popping up in your yard. You may consider this a plus or a minus, depending on your garden style and plans.
Optimal Growing Conditions
If you are thinking of adding sideoats grama to your garden, you need to find a suitable place that will keep your plant healthy and looking good… while minimizing maintenance for you.
Here are the key factors to keep in mind.
Temperature
Sideoats grama should be grown in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 – 9. It handles both desert heat and extreme cold. It can survive temperatures as cold as -30°F! But you can expect plants to go dormant in the winter regardless of the temperature.
Sun Exposure
Sideoats grama performs best in full sun or part shade. Avoid planting in full shade or where it receives the reflected heat from buildings and walls.
Size and Growth Rate
Sideoats grama grows moderately fast and reaches a manageable size of 2 feet tall and wide.
Soil
Sideoats grama is not fussy and grows in just about any soil type — sandy, rocky, loam, or clay — provided it’s well-draining.
Other Location Considerations
Sideoats grama is a good grass to grow among wildflowers, since it stays low in the spring and doesn’t overwhelm them.
It’s most effective in the garden when planted in drifts or clusters.
Because it has no thorns and produces minimal litter, it’s a plant you can feel comfortable placing anywhere it might come in contact with pets and people. The wispy inflorescences are not spiky, irritating, or toxic. The only time it’s messy is when it’s time to prune.
Sideoats Grama:
The Essentials
| Common Name | Sideoats grama |
| Scientific Name | Bouteloua curtipendula |
| Origin | Western Hemisphere |
| Plant Type | Bunch grass |
| USDA Zones | Zones 4 – 9 |
| Cold Hardy | To -30℉ |
| Flower Color | Purple |
| Flower Season | Summer, fall |
| Mature Size | 2’ high x 2’ wide |
| Growth Rate | Moderate to fast |
| Sun Tolerance | Full, part sun |
| Water Needs | Low |
| Pests & Diseases | None |
| Garden Friendly | No thorns, non-toxic, not invasive |
| Wildlife | Attracts birds, moths, butterflies |
How to Plant
The rule of thumb when planting any ornamental grass is to dig a hole three times as wide as the root ball but no deeper. Amending the soil is not recommended. Counterintuitively, backfilling with the same native soil you just dug up helps your plant develop a stronger root system.
When to Plant
The best time to plant sideoats grama is in the fall. This gives your grass three seasons to grow roots and get established before the following summer.
The second best time is in spring, the earlier the better. This still gives your plant time to get established before the intense heat of June arrives.
It can also be grown by seed, which makes sense if you want to cover a large area.
How to Care for Sideoats Grama
Whether you’ve recently planted sideoats grama or have an existing plant in your yard, here’s how to take care of it to keep it healthy and looking its best.
How to Water New Plants
As a southwest native, sideoats grama needs very little water once established, but it does need regular watering after being planted.
Here is the recommended watering schedule for new ornamental grasses.
| Weeks 1 & 2 | Every 3 – 4 days |
| Weeks 3 & 4 | Every 6 – 7 days |
| Weeks 5 & 6 | Every 7 – 10 days |
| Weeks 7 & 8 | Every 10 – 14 days |
How to Water Established Plants
Once your sideoats grama is established, water it deeply every few weeks during the summer. These plants look their best with occasional watering during the summer.
Since plants go dormant in the winter, they only need water once a month, which is typically provided by winter rains.
Should You Fertilize?
There is no need to fertilize sideoats grama. It gets all the nutrients it needs from native soil.
How to Prune
Sideoats grama should be pruned hard once in late winter or early spring. Cut it down to 3 – 4 inches above the ground.
You can cut it straight across, but slightly irregular cuts look more natural and mimic the grazing that would occur when growing in grasslands. This lets light penetrate the crown and makes way for new spring growth.
Pro Tip!
Tightly tie the dried leaves and flower stalks
with string or duct tape before cutting.
This makes clean-up much easier.
Plant Lover Facts
Sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula) is one of the dominant grass species of the North American prairie. Deer, elk, bison, horses, and cattle graze on it, and spread the seeds which stick to their coats.
Native Americans used it to make brushes and brooms, and to feed livestock.
The curious name grama comes from the Latin gramen, which means grass.
While sideoats grama can be found in every state, it’s endangered or rare in a handful of eastern states.
Sideoats grama is the state grass of Texas.
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Author Bio
Deane Alban is the creator of Southwest Gardener. She is a science writer with a bachelor’s degree in botany from the University of South Florida. Gardening is her lifelong passion. She’s been gardening in Tucson for 15 years.
