Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium): Care Tips, Propagation and Common Problems 

Little Bluestem is a warm-season prairie grass that is popular for its ornamental value. The hints of silver-blue on the green stems and foliage add to its attractive appearance. Due to its clumping habit, it is well suited in rockeries and meadow settings. With its deep roots, it also helps prevent soil erosion. 

If you want to add this ornamental grass to your garden for winter interest, follow along with this article to learn about its care, propagation, and common problems.

What is Little Bluestem? Quick Information Box

Little bluestem, scientifically called Schizachyrium scoparium, belongs to the Poaceae family. Native to North America, this is an ornamental perennial grass that is considered non-poisonous to both humans and pets.

Here is the quick information about this grass:

Botanical name	Schizachyrium scoparium
Common names	Little Bluestem, Small Blue Stem, Beard Grass, Broomsedge, Broom Beard Grass, and Prairie Beard Grass
Kingdom	Plantae
Order	Poales
Family	Poaceae (Grass family)
Genus	Schizachyrium
Plant type	Ornamental perennial grass
Mature size	2-3 ft. tall
Hardiness zones	USDA zones 3-9
Native area	North America
Toxicity	No known toxicity to humans, cats, dogs, and horses

Did you know? 

Perennial Plant Association named Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) the 2022 Perennial Plant of the Year for its low maintenance and landscape appeal

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Little Bluestem: Key Features and Benefits 

Schizachyrium scoparium little bluestem grass, has narrow and flat foliage and seasonal vibrant blooms. It is beneficial for wildlife as a nutritional source and overwintering shelter. Further, it is drought-tolerant and also helps in erosion control. 

Key Features of Small Blue Stem 

• Foliage: This perennial has narrow and flat blue-green and grey-green blades. They are about ¼ inch in width and 2 feet in length. These leaves transform to reddish bronze in the fall, adding visual appeal to the landscape. 
• Flowers and Seeds: The grass displays purplish bronze flowers from July to October. These blooms are followed by the silver-white seed heads. 
• Shape: It has an upright growth habit. The stems are slender and rigid, and the foliage grows on it in bunches, contributing to a columnar shape. 

Benefits of Small Blue Stem

• Drought Tolerant: This perennial has a deep root system that makes it highly resistant to drought. In this way, this grass is great for xeriscaping or water-wise landscaping. 
• Erosion Control: The fibrous and deep-reaching roots help stabilise the poor soil on banks and hillsides and lead to erosion control. 
• Wildlife Support: It acts as a larval host to many of the skipper species. The seeds of this plant are consumed by songbirds and mammals. It also provides winter shelter for various insects and wildlife. 

Did you know?

The scientific name of little Bluestem, Schizachyrium scoparium, is derived from the Greek words where “Schizachyrium” means “divided chaff” and “scoparium” refers to its broom-like look. 

How to Care for Little Bluestem Grass

Little blue stem grass is a hardy perennial and relatively easy to cultivate. It can thrive in full sun and infertile soils. This is drought-tolerant and doesn’t require too much watering. 

To grow it successfully and start a garden from scratch, follow the care tips below: 

Sunlight Requirement 

Little blue stem needs full sun to grow well and show proper colour intensity. The grass can tolerate partial shade, but the growth and the foliage colour will be affected. 

Soil Needs 

This perennial is great for poor, infertile landscapes, as it prefers dry soil or light moisture levels. The grass tolerates poor, clay soil but does not do well in fertile soil or moist conditions.

Watering 

Once it is established, Schizachyrium scoparium little bluestem is drought tolerant. Additional watering may result in drooping stems. Further, overwatering can kill the plant. In the first growing season, water the perennial weekly in summer months to establish the root system, then reduce the frequency. 

Temperature & Humidity 

The small blue stem is well adapted to the southern climates and does well in most parts of the United States. The preferred temperature to grow this is between 65°F and 80°F. It can handle humidity levels between 25% and 70%. However, excessive humidity can cause rust disease.  

Fertilizer 

The grass usually doesn’t need any fertilizers because it prefers poor soils. Fertile soil causes the flopping stems at the base that are known as lodging. A drier, infertile soil is better, as it helps keep the stems shorter yet stronger.

Quick Tip

If the soil is extremely depleted, apply a light top dressing of compost or leaf mould in early spring instead of chemical fertilizers.

Pruning

Cut back old foliage in early spring or late winter to encourage healthier growth and promote better appearance.  

Quick Tip

You may leave the little bluestem standing through the winter and cut it back in spring so that the seeds continue to be a food source for the local birds in winter. 

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How to Grow Little Bluestem Grass from Seeds

Grow the Schizachyrium grass from seeds in early spring or late fall for backyard design or pollinator gardens. Press the little bluestem seed into the soil and wait a few weeks for germination. 

Here are the steps to follow to grow it from seeds: 

1. Pick a spot with full sun and dry to medium soil.
2. Press the seeds lightly into the soil about ⅛ to ¼ inch deep.
3. Keep the soil well moist until the seeds germinate in about 1-2 weeks. 
4. Avoid fertilizers, as excessive nutrients can cause floppy stems.

Quick Tip

Use 3 to 5 pounds of seeds per acre for the best results.

Propagation of Little Bluestem Grass

Schizachyrium scoparium is easy to propagate with the division of the clumps. It is best done in the spring as the new growth begins. For this, lift the plant and divide the roots. Replant them in the ground and let them settle.

Here are the steps to follow to propagate these plants: 

1. Lift the entire plant out of the ground with a sharp spade. 
2. Cut the root crown into smaller clumps, ensuring that each section has healthy roots and several growing points.
3. Replant in the ground immediately at the same length they were growing before. Space them 1 ½ feet apart. 
4. Water well and keep the soil moist to settle the root system for 3-6 weeks. 

Types of Little Bluestem

There is a wide variety of Blue Stem grass to choose from due to its popularity. Some of the most famous types are Blaze, Standing Ovation, and The Blues little bluestem. 

Take a look below to learn about some of its types: 

Types	Key Points
Blaze	This is the preferred variety for winter interest. It can do well in clay soils too, compared to the main species. Height: 3’ Foliage: Light blue and blue-green Fall Colour: Pink, fiery red, purple and orange
The Blues	This cultivar has eye-catching blue tones in summer that shift to purplish orange in the fall. Height: 3’ Foliage: Blue with red stem accents Fall Colour: Purple orange with shades of blue.
Standing Ovation	The type has a strong upright habit, doing well in windy and dry environments. Height: 4’ Foliage: Blue, green, pink, and purple Fall Colour: Red-orange and burgundy
Carousel	A dense and compact variety that has blue-green leaves.  Height: 2.5’ Foliage: Blue-green with pink highlights Fall Colour: Copper, pink and mahogany
Blue Heaven	This variety can grow 3-4 feet tall with blue-green summer foliage. Height: 4’ Foliage: Light blue  Fall Colour: Pink-burgundy with copper leaf tips

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Common Problems with Little Bluestem

Bluestem grasses are usually forgiving if you keep them in the proper growing conditions. However, a few issues can still arise in these perennials, like flopping stems, rust disease, and dead centers. 

Problems	Signs and Solutions
Flopping stems	Signs: This is the common complaint in this plant. Rich soil and added compost cause this floppy, open clumps that lead to the loss of upright structure. Solutions: Always plant this grass in unamended, well-drained soil.
Rust disease	Signs: Orange-brown pustules appear on the grass during humid weather. Solutions: Cut the affected part in late winter and improve air circulation. In severe cases, apply a fungicide.
Dead center in the old clumps	Signs: If the clumps are 5-7 years old, they may develop a dead, open center. Solutions: In spring, divide the clump and discard the center. Replant the outer sections.

Frequent User Queries and Solutions for Little Bluestem

There are many queries about this grass that planters have raised on the Reddit platform. Some of them are about its floppy stems and sun exposure. 

Let’s see these queries and their possible solutions below: 

• u/peanutbuddy asks about Little Bluestem flopping over?

  

  Solution: The common causes of flopping stems in this grass are overly rich soil, excess moisture, and no companion plants. To prevent this, ensure good drainage, grow it in a location with full sun, and avoid fertilizers.

• u/IDooDoodAtTheMasters wants to know Should I relocate my Little Bluestem to get more sunlight?

  

  Solution: Yes! You should relocate the plants if they are not getting at least 6 to 8 hours of daily direct sunlight. 

Final Words

Little Bluestem is attractive, adaptable, and easy to care for in its native range. It is drought-tolerant and great to enliven different spaces with its fall colours. The grass supports many moth and butterfly species as a larval host plant and winter shelter. You may pair it with purple coneflower or lanceleaf coreopsis as they complement each other’s visual texture.

FAQs

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