Image of Sporobolus heterolepis
Source: David D Stang

Plant Names

image of Grass
Sporobolus heterolepis
Prairie Dropseed
Sporobole à glumes inégales

Synonyms

northern dropseed

Plant Characteristics

Bloom Colour: Green Bloom Period: Aug - Oct
Max Height: 2.0 feet
Max Width: 3.0 feet
Light Condition:
Full sun More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Moisture dry Tolerates dry soil condition
Moisture medium Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan: Perennial plants that will come back year after year
Gardener Experience:
does not spread Does not spread uncontrollably
plant self seeding Self-seeding
Landscape Uses:
rock garden Suitable for rock gardens
row garden Suitable for Right of Way gardens
container suitable Suitable for container garden
school garden Suitable for school gardens
boulevard garden tolerant Tolerates boulevard garden conditions
Ecological Benefits:
Bird friendly Supports birds
Tolerates:
Salt Tolerant Tolerates salt conditions
Deer Resistant Deer resistant
Rabbit Resistant Rabbit resistant
Limestone Tolerant Tolerates limestone conditions
Sand Tolerant Tolerates sandy conditions
Juglone Tolerant Tolerates juglone conditions
Transplantation Tolerant Tolerates transplantation
Special Features and Considerations:
plant endangered This plant is endangered

Seed and plant distribution status

No seeds available for this plant.
We currently accept seeds for this plant

Fun Facts

Prairie Dropseed is a beautiful warm-season grass that forms neat, rounded clumps of fine green foliage. Delicate, airy flower stalks rise above the foliage in late summer, followed by small seeds. The foliage turns orange-bronze in fall and often remains attractive through winter. It is particularly well suited to prairie gardens, borders, and smaller native landscapes.

Prairie Dropseed is one of the best native grasses for a tidy garden. It is slow to establish, sometimes taking several years to reach its mature size. It does not spread aggressively. You should avoid avoid rich, wet soil for this species. It is an excellent choice for small gardens because it remains in a clump.

Plant Location

Native to Ottawa region: Yes

Distribution according to VASCAN

Distribution: Sporobolus heterolepis
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent

Thrives in Ecozones

  • Boreal Plains
  • Mixed Wood Plains

Ecological Benefits

Butterflies Supported by Sporobolus heterolepis

No butterfly data available for this plant.

Specialized Bees Supported by Sporobolus heterolepis

No bee data available for this plant.

Complementary Plants

Substitute For Non-Native Plants

  • Miscanthus (Silvergrass)
  • Cortaderia selloana (Pampas Grass)
  • Phalaris arundinacea (Reed Canary Grass)
  • Pennisetum setaceum (Fountain Grass)

Sowing Information

Download Seed Envelope Labels (PDF)
  • Sowing depth: Surface sow
  • Sow anytime
  • Stratification duration: 0 days
  • Self-seeding
  • Notes: Can be sown in late spring in warm soil.

Harvesting and Seed Sharing

  • Harvest start month: September
  • Harvesting indicator:
    • Seeds easily fall off when you gently pull them off
  • Harvesting:
    • Use hand to detach from main stem
  • Seed viability test:
    • No test needed before donating
  • Packaging measure: 1 rounded 1/8 teaspoon
  • Seed storage:
    • Air dry in paper bag or open container, for a few days until crisp
    • Shake seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
  • Cultivar: Yes, do not donate unless you know source, and there are no known cultivars in your garden or at proximity
  • No harvesting video available at this time.

Toxicity Notes

Not known to be toxic to mammals if ingested.