Ornamental grass
Prairie Dropseed
Sporobolus heterolepis
Fine-textured mounds with late flowers that smell faintly of popcorn. Worth the patience.
- Native
- Fragrant
- Deer-resistant
Quick facts
- Hardiness
- USDA zones 3–9
- Water
- Very low once established
- Sun
- Full sun
- Size
- 18–36 in. tall × 24–36 in. wide
- Bloom & interest
- Airy, fragrant flower panicles in late summer; fine foliage turns orange in fall
- Plant type
- Ornamental grass
- Native range
- Native to the prairies of the central and northern US, including eastern Colorado
Why we recommend it
An elegant fine-textured native that forms emerald fountains, turns orange in fall, releases a coriander-like fragrance at bloom, and is deeply drought tolerant once established.
Best regions: Front RangeGreat BasinTexasHigh Desert
How to grow it
Watering to establish
Slow to establish: water weekly for the first two summers. After that it is very drought tolerant.
Pruning
Cut back to a few inches in early spring.
Soil
Adaptable, from rocky to clay, as long as it drains.
Pairs well with
Read more
Where to buy
Shop Prairie Dropseed from trusted growers. For the best selection of xeric plants, try a mail-order specialist or ask a local independent nursery.
- High Country Gardens (opens in a new tab)Xeric specialist
- Nature Hills Nursery (opens in a new tab)Wide selection
- American Meadows (opens in a new tab)Perennials & seeds
- Etsy (opens in a new tab)Small growers
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