Switchgrass
Panicum virgatum
Also listed as Chasea virgata, Milium virgatum
Also known as Old Switch Panicgrass, Wand Panicgrass, Blackwell Switch Grass
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Switchgrass is a native warm-season perennial grass that forms upright clumps of fine-textured foliage that turns reddish-bronze in fall and persists through winter. It is highly drought-tolerant and low-maintenance once established, making it excellent for prairie gardens, erosion control, and biomass production.
Why grow it
Switchgrass tolerates a wider range of soil conditions than many native warm-season grasses, including poor drainage and low fertility, making it more flexible for difficult sites. Its relatively fine texture distinguishes it from coarser native grasses like big bluestem, and it reaches moderate heights (3-6 feet depending on cultivar) that work well in smaller prairie plantings. It establishes faster than some perennial grasses and produces reliable biomass yields where that is a management goal.
Watch out for
In ideal growing conditions with regular moisture and fertility, switchgrass can spread more vigorously than expected, requiring management to prevent it from dominating adjacent plantings. Some cultivars are more aggressive self-seeders than others, so deadheading or timely mowing may be needed if volunteer seedlings become problematic. Initial establishment takes one to two growing seasons, during which supplemental water and weed management improve success rates.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Poaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Central and eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Switchgrass is a native warm-season perennial grass that forms upright clumps of fine-textured foliage that turns reddish-bronze in fall and persists through winter. It is highly drought-tolerant and low-maintenance once established, making it excellent for prairie gardens, erosion control, and biomass production.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Switchgrass grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Switchgrass tolerates a wider range of soil conditions than many native warm-season grasses, including poor drainage and low fertility, making it more flexible for difficult sites. Its relatively fine texture distinguishes it from coarser native grasses like big bluestem, and it reaches moderate heights (3-6 feet depending on cultivar) that work well in smaller prairie plantings. It establishes faster than some perennial grasses and produces reliable biomass yields where that is a management goal.
Watch out for
In ideal growing conditions with regular moisture and fertility, switchgrass can spread more vigorously than expected, requiring management to prevent it from dominating adjacent plantings. Some cultivars are more aggressive self-seeders than others, so deadheading or timely mowing may be needed if volunteer seedlings become problematic. Initial establishment takes one to two growing seasons, during which supplemental water and weed management improve success rates.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Poaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Central and eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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