This is a native plant, but it is not available in the 2026 Wild Ones plant sale.
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Side-oats Grama
Bouteloua curtipendula
GrassSide-oats Grama
Bouteloua curtipendula
Tap to flip backGrowing Conditions
Light
Sun – Part Shade
Water
Dry – Medium
Soil
Any
Size
2-3'
Bloom
Purple-Tan, Jul–Sep
Why Grow It
Drought Tolerant
Thrives with little water once established
Erosion Control
Deep roots stabilize slopes & banks
Fall Color
Showy autumn foliage adds seasonal color
Easy to Grow
Low maintenance & beginner friendly
Did You Know?
Side-oats Grama is named for its unique flower arrangement — the tiny spikelets all hang from one side of the stem like a row of little oat grains, unlike most grasses.
It is the state grass of Texas, where it once dominated vast stretches of tallgrass and mixed-grass prairie.
The basal foliage turns beautiful shades of purple and red in autumn, providing unexpected fall color from a grass.
Wildlife Value
🦋
Dotted Skipper
Larvae feed on grass blades
🐦
Wild Turkey
Feeds on nutritious seeds in fall
🐦
Sparrows
Eat seeds and use foliage for ground-nest cover
Good Companions
🌸 Butterfly Milkweed
🌼 Purple Coneflower
🌾 Little Bluestem
🌿 Prairie Dropseed
Planting Guide
- Sow seed in spring on well-drained, lean soil in full sun.
- Space 12–18 inches apart; tolerates rocky and clay soils.
- Do not fertilize; thrives in low-nutrient prairie conditions.
Plant Details
Made with ♥ by Lu Li