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Native Plant Society of Texas

Bushy Bluestem

Andropogon glomeratus

Other common name(s):

Brushy Bluestem

Family:

Poaceae (Grass Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

This map uses data from the US EPA. EPA  servers have been offline frequently so maps may not display. We are working on a solution.

Central Great Plains, Chihuahuan Deserts, Cross Timbers, East Central Texas Plains, Edwards Plateau, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, High Plains, Southern Texas Plains, Texas Blackland Prairies, Western Gulf Coastal Plain
Broken Red Plains, Limestone Plains
Chihuahuan Desert Grasslands, Chihuahuan Montane Woodlands, Low Mountains and Bajadas, Stockton Plateau
Eastern Cross Timbers, Grand Prairie, Limestone Cut Plain, Western Cross Timbers
Bastrop Lost Pines, Floodplains and Low Terraces2, Northern Post Oak Savanna, San Antonio Prairie, Southern Post Oak Savanna
Balcones Canyonlands, Edwards Plateau Woodland, Llano Uplift, Semiarid Edwards Plateau
Coastal Sand Plain, Floodplains and Low Terraces4, Laguna Madre Barrier Island and Coastal Marshes, Lower Rio Grande Alluvial Floodplain, Lower Rio Grande Valley, Mid-Coast Barrier Islands and Coastal Marshes, Northern Humid Gulf Coastal Prairies, Southern Subhumid Gulf Coastal Prairies, Texas-Louisiana Coastal Marshes
Shinnery Sands
Northern Nueces Alluvial Plains, Rio Grande Floodplain and Terraces, Semiarid Edwards Bajada, Texas-Tamaulipan Thornscrub
Floodplains and Low Terraces1, Northern Blackland Prairie, Southern Blackland Prairie
Flatwoods, Floodplains and Low Terraces3, Southern Tertiary Uplands, Tertiary Uplands

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Grass & Sedge

Height

3
to
6
ft.

Spread

1
to
2
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Clay, Poor Drainage, Moist, Saline

Light Requirement

Sun

Water Requirement

High

Native Habitat

Grassland, Woodland, Wetland or Riparian

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Brown

Bloom Season

Fall

Seasonal Interest

Fall Color, Seeds, Forage, Larval Host, Nesting Material

Wildlife Benefit

Browsers, Butterflies, Birds, Small Mammals, Bees

Maintenance

Ideal as an attractive bunchgrass for wetland gardens. In the wild, it grows in sunny, low-lying grasslands and roadside ditches. Tolerates salinity. Full sun and moisture essential. Leave dead stems standing through fall and winter for insect habitat. Cut back dead stems in February before spring growth. Leaves turn a copper color in the fall. Propagation: root division, seed.

Comments

Blooms August-November. A warm-season, tall bunchgrass with long leaves and large, fluffy seed heads. Larval host: Skippers and Satyrs, Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala)

References

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Clump Division Divide during winter dormancy. Divide clumps with roots attached and liberal amounts of root-laden soil onto wet mineral soils in late winter or early spring. The plants should be spaced at 18 inches because the rate of spread is slow. Spread is generally less than 0.2 feet per year in unconsolidated sediment. Carefully dig around the clump, ensuring you don’t damage the root system. Using a sharp spade or garden knife, divide the clump into smaller sections, each containing a healthy portion of roots and shoots. 1) chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://plants.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/plantguide/pdf/pg_angl2.pdf 2) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ANGL2 3) chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-andropogon-glomeratus/?print=pdf
Seed No Treatment When planting from seed, do so when ground is no longer frozen in spring and after the date of the last projected frost. Sow seeds on the surface, pressing them lightly without burying them. These seeds need light to germinate. They will germinate in a few weeks. Keep weeds away from seeds and young seedlings, as they compete with the grass for nutrients and water. Keep growing seeds moist, but not soggy, until they have some growth. While bushy bluestem seed will tolerate in poor soils, the best initial growth is in moist soil. When growing as a landscape plant, mulch helps hold in moisture. Place the mulch about 3 inches (8 cm.) thick, but don’t let it touch the stems. If started indoors, Gradually Introduce them to the Outdoors: Once the danger of frost has passed and your seedlings have developed a robust root system, it’s time to harden them off. This process involves gradually acclimating the young plants to outdoor conditions. Seeds are produced 6-8 weeks from when the culms are produced 1) https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/foliage/bushy-beardgrass/what-is-bushy-beardgrass.htm 2) chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://plants.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/plantguide/pdf/pg_anvi2.pdf
Stem Cutting Dip stems in rooting hormone, and planted in moist, well-draining soil. Ensure they receive consistent moisture until roots develop. Cuttings can be taken from young stems in the summer. https://mygardenchannel.com/care-guide-to-bushy-bluestem-grass/

About the Region

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our fall Symposium host chapter, the Tonkawa Chapter, includes both of these ecoregions.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason