Sideoats grama
Bouteloua curtipendula
Seeds dangle along one side of the stem like little flags.
Hardiness: zones 3 to 9
Light: full sun
Size: about 2 ft tall, 1 ft wide
From: Central North America
Drought-hardy once established
Here: Hardy in the Lake Erie shore climate (zone 6b to 7a), so it can live outdoors in the ground.
Good for: wildlife, butterfly and moth caterpillars.
Native to: Great Plains & Texas, Desert Southwest, Rockies & Great Basin, Midwest & Great Lakes. Hardy in zones 3 to 9.
The story
Sideoats grama hangs its oat-like seeds in a neat row down one side of the stem. In bloom, each one dangles bright orange-red anthers. It is the state grass of Texas.
Planting
Full sun and well-drained soil, including rocky limestone.
Growing
Cut back in early spring. That is the whole job.
Harvest and use
Seed for turkeys, quail and songbirds, good forage, and a host plant for skipper butterflies.
What to watch for
Rich, wet soil makes it flop.
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More native and wild plants
General guidance, not professional advice. Conditions vary by yard and year; for local specifics ask your county extension office. Never eat a wild plant you cannot identify with certainty. Traditional uses are shared as history, not medical advice. © 2026 Sean Priest · Irie Orchard. Terms & credits · Privacy · Home