Sideoats Grama
Botanical Name
:
Bouteloua curtipendula
Plant Type
:
Perennial warm-season grass
Seasons
:
Grows in spring and summer, flowers in late summer to fall, remains dormant in winter
Sun Level
:
Full sun (6+ hours per day)
Ideal Soil Temperature for Planting
:
60–70°F (16–21°C)
Soil Type
:
Well-drained sandy, loamy, or rocky soils; drought-tolerant but does not thrive in wet conditions
Hardiness Zones
:
3–9 (USDA)
Germination
:
14–21 days, better success with cold stratification before planting
P.H. Level
:
6.0–8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
Water/Irrigation
:
Once established, sideoats grama is extremely drought-tolerant. Water regularly during the first year to develop a deep root system
Fertilization
:
Rarely needed, light application of compost or balanced fertilizer in early spring if soil is poor
Habit
:
Clumping, upright, and spreading. Characterized by its unique seed heads that hang to one side of the stem (hence the name “side oats”)
Propagation
:
By seed (direct sow in fall or early spring) or division in spring
Final Plant Height
:
15–36 inches
Spread
:
12–24 inches
Spacing
:
12–24 inches
Flowers
:
Oat-like spikelets that are held mostly to one side of its arching flowering stems. Purplish at first, they bleach to a tan color in the fall. Summer flowers produce vibrant yellow, orange, or purple stamens
Attracts
:
Butterflies, pollinators, and birds (seeds in winter)
Uses
:
Prairie restoration, erosion control, ornamental landscaping, livestock forage
Companions
:
Little Bluestem, Black-eyed Susan, Coneflowers, Prairie Dropseed
Pruning
:
Cut back in early spring before new growth emerges
Toxicity
:
Non-toxic to humans and pets
Pests
:
Generally pest-free but may attract grasshoppers
Diseases
:
Resistant to most diseases but may develop rust in humid conditions
Fun Fact
:
Sideoats grama was adopted in 1971 as the official state grass of Texas
Botanical Name
:
Bouteloua curtipendula
Plant Type
:
Perennial warm-season grass
Seasons
:
Grows in spring and summer, flowers in late summer to fall, remains dormant in winter
Sun Level
:
Full sun (6+ hours per day)
Ideal Soil Temperature for Planting
:
60–70°F (16–21°C)
Soil Type
:
Well-drained sandy, loamy, or rocky soils; drought-tolerant but does not thrive in wet conditions
Hardiness Zones
:
3–9 (USDA)
Germination
:
14–21 days, better success with cold stratification before planting
P.H. Level
:
6.0–8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
Water/Irrigation
:
Once established, sideoats grama is extremely drought-tolerant. Water regularly during the first year to develop a deep root system
Fertilization
:
Rarely needed, light application of compost or balanced fertilizer in early spring if soil is poor
Habit
:
Clumping, upright, and spreading. Characterized by its unique seed heads that hang to one side of the stem (hence the name “side oats”)
Propagation
:
By seed (direct sow in fall or early spring) or division in spring
Final Plant Height
:
15–36 inches
Spread
:
12–24 inches
Spacing
:
12–24 inches
Flowers
:
Oat-like spikelets that are held mostly to one side of its arching flowering stems. Purplish at first, they bleach to a tan color in the fall. Summer flowers produce vibrant yellow, orange, or purple stamens
Attracts
:
Butterflies, pollinators, and birds (seeds in winter)
Uses
:
Prairie restoration, erosion control, ornamental landscaping, livestock forage
Companions
:
Little Bluestem, Black-eyed Susan, Coneflowers, Prairie Dropseed
Pruning
:
Cut back in early spring before new growth emerges
Toxicity
:
Non-toxic to humans and pets
Pests
:
Generally pest-free but may attract grasshoppers
Diseases
:
Resistant to most diseases but may develop rust in humid conditions
Fun Fact
:
Sideoats grama was adopted in 1971 as the official state grass of Texas
Written by Salome Wapukha – https://www.linkedin.com/in/salome-wapukha-556700193/
