Andropogon gerardii

Common Names

Big Bluestem, Bluejoint Beardgrass, Poptillo Gigante, Turkeyfoot

Summary

Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) is a native North American warm-season perennial grass and a dominant species of tallgrass prairies. It grows as tall, erect clumps typically 4–9 feet high, with blue-green to silvery-blue foliage that reddens to copper tones in autumn. Distinctive purplish, three-part seed heads resemble a turkey foot, rising above the foliage, while a deep, extensive root system helps stabilize soil and provides erosion control. It prefers full sun and well-drained soils, tolerates a range of moisture from moist to dry, and is commonly used for erosion control, prairie restorations, and wildlife habitat or as a tall screen in native landscapes. Maintenance is relatively low, with late-winter cutting recommended; it propagates by seed or division, and fire plays a central ecological role, with spring burns often promoting vigorous regeneration.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

2-8 feet

Spread

2-3 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 4-9

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally Full Sun. Tolerates Partial Sun and Partial Shade; cannot tolerate Full Shade.

Soil Type

There isn’t a single ideal soil type, well-drained loam, clay-loam, or sandy soils all work

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil.

Soil pH

6.0-7.5

Bloom Color

Purplish

Bloom Time

Summer to Fall

Foliage Color

Blue-green to green foliage, turning coppery-red in fall.

Fall Foliage Color

Bronze and coppery-red, sometimes with lavender tints

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Fast-growing

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts birds, Attracts butterflies