Overview
Sporobolus heterolepis is a bushy grass like in the genus Sporobolus, part of the Poaceae family, with deciduous foliage. It typically grows around 0.5-1 metres tall and 0.5-1 metres wide, reaching full size in around 2-5 years. Sporobolus heterolepis grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H7. It is drought resistant and low maintenance. Suggested uses include architectural, patio and container plants, city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal garden, gravel garden, prairie planting, low maintenance, banks and slopes and flower borders and beds. It is native to Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and Saskatchewan.
About the genus
Sporobolus is a nearly cosmopolitan genus of plants in the grass family. The name Sporobolus means "seed-thrower", and is derived from Ancient Greek word σπόρος (spóros), meaning "seed", and the root of βάλλειν (bállein) "to throw", referring to the dispersion of seeds. Members of the genus are usually called dropseeds or sacaton grasses.
Wikipedia contributors, "Sporobolus", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Sporobolus
In the garden
Sporobolus heterolepis is a perennial grass native to Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and Saskatchewan that forms a dense, rounded clump 0.5–1 metres tall and across. It establishes steadily, usually taking two to five years to reach its full dimensions, and flowers in mid to late summer between July and September. Give prairie dropseed a sunny, south- or west-facing site on well-drained soils such as chalk, loam or sand; it tolerates acid, neutral and alkaline conditions. The plant is rated H7 for UK hardiness, so it is fully hardy and can be grown in both exposed and sheltered situations. It is drought resistant and low maintenance once established, making it suitable for positions where regular watering is impractical. Use Sporobolus heterolepis for architectural accents and prairie-style groupings, in gravel gardens, on banks and slopes, in cottage and informal borders, or in containers for patios and courtyards. Its size and habit suit city and courtyard gardens as well as larger prairie plantings. Flowers are produced from July to September.
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Sporobolus
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H7
Plant details
Sporobolus heterolepis size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Grass Like
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 0.5-1 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Architectural, Patio and container plants, City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Prairie planting, Low Maintenance, Banks and slopes, Flower borders and beds
- Native to
- Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Sporobolus heterolepis
- Propagation
- Seed, Division
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Sporobolus heterolepis?
Sporobolus heterolepis prefers full sun. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Sporobolus heterolepis need?
Sporobolus heterolepis is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays well-drained.
How big does Sporobolus heterolepis grow?
Sporobolus heterolepis reaches a height of 0.5-1 metres and a spread of 0.5-1 metres. It takes around 2-5 years to reach full size.
Is Sporobolus heterolepis hardy in the UK?
Sporobolus heterolepis has an RHS hardiness rating of H7, meaning it is fully hardy throughout the UK, tolerating temperatures below -20°C.
How do I propagate Sporobolus heterolepis?
Seed, Division.
From the Fenn Plants journal
- Notes on DaffodilsWhen to plant daffodil bulbs in the UK, how deep, how to naturalise them in grass, why daffodils stop flowering (“blindness”), and why you should never mix cut daffodils with other flowers.
- Keeping Your NerveHow to garden through a heatwave — the best time to water, why deep soaks beat daily sprinkles, caring for pots and vulnerable plants, and why you can let the lawn go brown.
- Made to LastHow to clean, store and protect garden pots and planters — the frost-proof vs frost-resistant difference, winter care for terracotta and ceramic, and how to reuse a broken pot.