What hardiness zones is Andropogon ternarius suitable for?

Andropogon ternarius is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

What are the sun requirements for Andropogon ternarius?

Andropogon ternarius requires Full Sun.

How much water does Andropogon ternarius need?

Andropogon ternarius has Low water needs.

Andropogon ternarius (Splitbeard Bluestem)

1 / 5

Robert H. Mohlenbrock. USDA NRCS., no rights reserved (CC0) · Wikimedia Commons

Grasses

Andropogon ternarius

Splitbeard Bluestem

Poaceae

Southeastern United States — from Delaware south to Florida and west to Texas, in dry sandy woodlands

At a Glance

TypeOrnamental grass

HabitClumping

FoliageDeciduous

Height24-48 inches (60-120 cm)

Width18-24 inches (45-60 cm)

Maturity2 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

5 - 9

Zone 5 Zone 6 Zone 7 Zone 8 Zone 9

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

What's my zone? →

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant

Native to North America

Maintenancevery low

Overview

Andropogon ternarius is splitbeard bluestem — a southeastern native grass with the most ornamental seed display of any bluestem, growing 24–48 inches (60–120 cm) tall and 18–24 inches (45–60 cm) wide. The species name 'ternarius' means 'in threes', describing the paired (sometimes three) seed head branches at each node. The common name 'splitbeard' describes the fluffy silvery-white seed awns that split apart as they mature — each pair of seed heads opening like a tiny silver fan. The fluffy silver catches autumn and winter light dramatically, creating a glowing, ethereal effect. Blue-green foliage turns orange-copper in fall. The dry sandy woodland origin means sharp drainage and lean, acidic soil are essential — this species thrives in poor, sandy conditions where richer-soil grasses fail. Warm-season grass. Hardy to zone 5.

Native Range

Andropogon ternarius is native to the southeastern United States — from Delaware south to Florida and west to Texas, in dry sandy woodlands.

Suggested Uses

Used in sandy-soil gardens, naturalized dry woodlands, and as a fall/winter silver accent. The most ornamental seed display of any native bluestem. For poor, sandy, acidic soil where other grasses struggle.

How to Identify

Identified by fluffy silvery-white paired seed heads that split apart along the stems — the most ornamental seed display of any bluestem. The paired (not three-parted turkey-foot) seed arrangement and the fluffy silver splitting are diagnostic. Dry sandy soil habitat.