Skip to main content
Spartina bakeri (Sand Cordgrass)
1 / 2
Robert H. Mohlenbrock. USDA SCS. 1991. Southern wetland flora: Field office guide to plant species. South National Technical Center, Fort Worth. Courtesy of USDA NRCS Wetland Science Institute., no rights reserved (CC0) · Wikimedia Commons
Grasses

Spartina bakeri

Sand Cordgrass

Poaceae
Southeastern United States — from North Carolina south to Florida, in dry sandy pinelands and scrub

At a Glance

TypeOrnamental grass
HabitClumping
FoliageSemi-evergreen
Height36-60 inches (90-150 cm)
Width36-48 inches (90-120 cm)
Maturity3 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

7 - 10
Zone 7Zone 8Zone 9Zone 10
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
What's my zone? →
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Deer ResistantDrought Tolerant
Native to North America
Maintenancevery low

Overview

Spartina bakeri is sand cordgrass — a clumping southeastern native grass for dry sandy conditions, growing 36–60 inches (90–150 cm) tall and 36–48 inches (90–120 cm) wide. Named after John Baker, the Florida botanist. The species is clumping and from dry sandy pinelands — completely different in habit from the aggressively spreading salt-marsh species Spartina alterniflora and S. patens, which colonize tidal flats by underground rhizomes. This makes S. bakeri the garden-friendly Spartina, with no rhizomatous invasion. Olive-green to gray-green narrow-textured arching foliage creates a graceful fountain form. Semi-evergreen in mild climates. Extremely drought and salt tolerant — native to dry sandy coastal and inland habitats. Hardy to zone 7. The clumping habit, drought tolerance, and salt tolerance suit this species to southeastern dry sandy landscapes where the spreading Spartina species would be unmanageable.

Native Range

Spartina bakeri is native to the southeastern United States — from North Carolina south to Florida.

Suggested Uses

Used in southeastern sandy landscapes, coastal gardens, and as the garden-safe Spartina. Clumping habit suits garden use. Drought and salt tolerant. The native alternative to non-native fountain grasses in the Southeast.

How to Identify

Identified by olive-green to gray-green narrow-textured arching fountain foliage — a clumping Spartina (not the spreading salt-marsh species). The clumping habit in dry sandy soil is the key separator from the spreading Spartina species. Southeastern native.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height3' - 5'
Width/Spread3' - 4'

Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years

Colors

Flower Colors

tan

Foliage Colors

olive green
gray green

Fall Foliage Colors

golden tan

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Fall
Narrow spikes in October and November. The arching fountain foliage is the year-round display.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Tan, in narrow spikes

Foliage Description

Olive-green to gray-green, narrow, narrow-textured, arching

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 8.0(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
sand
Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in full sun. Sandy, well-drained soil. Drought and salt tolerant. The clumping habit avoids the rhizomatous invasion of salt-marsh Spartina species. Cut to 6 inches in late winter. Hardy to zone 7.

Pruning

Stems can be left standing through winter. Cut to 6 inches in late February–March.

Pruning Schedule

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
early spring

Maintenance Level

very low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic