Blue Grama Grass (Bouteloua gracilis) is a warm-season perennial grass known for its fine-textured, grayish-green foliage and unique, comb-like seed heads. Native to the short-grass prairies of North America, it is particularly abundant across the Great Plains, extending from Canada down into Mexico. Its natural habitat spans a wide range of elevations and conditions.
Understanding Blue Grama Grass’s Growth Habits
Blue Grama Grass is not considered an invasive species. It is primarily a clump-forming grass that spreads slowly via short rhizomes and primarily propagates by seed.
Its fibrous and dense root system, with roots penetrating up to 6.5 feet deep, helps it respond quickly to small amounts of rainfall. This structure does not lead to aggressive spreading that would outcompete other plants.
Benefits and Uses of Blue Grama Grass
Blue Grama Grass offers many landscape benefits. It exhibits high drought tolerance, thriving on minimal annual rainfall, sometimes as little as seven inches once established. This grass is particularly well-suited for xeriscaping, a landscaping approach that minimizes or eliminates the need for supplemental irrigation, blending with other low-water plants.
It requires minimal maintenance and adapts to a wide range of well-draining soil types. Its dense root system provides effective erosion control, useful for stabilizing slopes. Blue Grama Grass also serves as a valuable resource for wildlife, providing forage for livestock and native animals, and acting as a larval host for various skipper butterflies.
Cultivating Blue Grama Grass
Cultivating Blue Grama Grass requires full sun (at least six hours daily). It needs well-drained soil, including sandy, loamy, and clay types, and does not tolerate consistently wet conditions. Planting can be done using seeds or sod.
For seed planting, sow seeds directly onto the soil surface or no more than 0.25 inches deep. The ideal time is when soil temperatures are around 65 degrees Fahrenheit or warmer, typically June to July. Consistent moisture is important during the initial establishment phase; young plants may need watering twice daily for one to two weeks, gradually reducing frequency as they mature.
Once established, it requires infrequent watering, often only once every one to two weeks during dry periods to maintain green color. Ongoing care involves infrequent mowing, typically two to three times per growing season if used as a lawn substitute, or a single annual cut in late winter to remove old foliage.