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PlantFiles: Indian Grass
Sorghastrum nutans 'Indian Steel'

 
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Family: Poaceae (poh-AY-see-ay) (Info)
Genus: Sorghastrum (sor-GAS-trum) (Info)
Species: nutans (NUT-ans) (Info)
Cultivar: Indian Steel

3 vendors have this plant for sale.

Category:
Ornamental Grasses and Bamboo

Height:
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)

Spacing:
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)

Hardiness:
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)

Sun Exposure:
Full Sun

Danger:
Unknown - Tell us

Bloom Color:
Cream/Tan

Bloom Time:
Late Summer/Early Fall

Foliage:
Grown for foliage
Herbaceous
Blue-Green

Other details:
May be a noxious weed or invasive
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Self-sows freely; deadhead if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season
This plant may be considered a protected species; check before digging or gathering seeds
Flowers are good for drying and preserving
Provides winter interest

Soil pH requirements:
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)

Propagation Methods:
By dividing the rootball
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; direct sow after last frost

Seed Collecting:
Bag seedheads to capture ripening seed
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds

By hczone6
Thumbnail #1 of Sorghastrum nutans by hczone6

By hczone6
Thumbnail #2 of Sorghastrum nutans by hczone6

Profile:

1 positive
No neutrals
1 negative

Gardeners' Notes:

Rating Author Comment
Negative southernOhio On Jan 17, 2005, southernOhio from Proctorville, OH
(Zone 5b) wrote:

The plant wants to layover on the ground, We keep it upright with a small wire cage near the bottom.

Positive lupinelover On Sep 7, 2003, lupinelover from Grove City, OH
(Zone 6a) wrote:

This is a very easy-to-grow ornamental grass. It remains in a clump which can be (relatively) easily divided in spring.

Cut off the flower stalks if you don't want seedlings the following year.

Grow it in very lean soil for best results. Excess soil fertility will make it fall over.

Regional...

This plant has been said to grow in the following regions:

Grand Junction, Colorado
Grove City, Ohio



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