High Country Gardens
Sideoats Grama Grass
Best low-maintenance choice for drought-tolerant, deer-resistant home landscapes.
Sideoats Grama Grass is a beautiful native perennial grass perfect for xeric and drought-tolerant gardens. Its attractive blue foliage provides a stunning contrast to the tan flower spikes that appear in mid-summer, maturing into off-white seed heads. This grass maintains visual interest throughout the winter with its light-catching stems. Growing in a vase-like shape to about 28 inches tall and 15 inches wide, it's a low-water, deer-resistant choice for waterwise landscapes. It thrives in full sun and various soil types, offering vigorous growth and year-round appeal.
$14.44
Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
864
/ 3268
#864 in Landscaping & Garden Plants
Price vs Category Average
-48%
Below average
Plant Type
Perennial Grass
/ Perennial Grass
Who it's for
- Xeriscape gardeners seeking low-maintenance, water-wise plant foundations
- Designers looking for unique textures and seasonal visual interest
- Conservationists aiming to support local pollinators and native wildlife
Who should skip it
- Gardeners wanting immediate, dense coverage in their landscape
- Owners of small, strictly manicured garden beds
- Landscapers prioritizing early spring greenery and color
Performance breakdown
Drought Resilience
Thrives in arid conditions with minimal supplemental irrigation required.
Deer Resistance
Reliably deters browsing animals, keeping your garden landscape intact.
Winter Visuals
Maintains structural integrity and aesthetic appeal long after the growing season.
Soil Adaptability
Performs consistently across clay, sandy, and average soil compositions.
Growth Vigor
Establishes quickly to provide a lush, vase-shaped presence in the garden.
Native Ecological Value
Supports local biodiversity as a hardy, North American native species.
Key Specs
Plant Type
Perennial Grass
Growth Rate
Vigorous
Mature Height
Up to 28 inches
Mature Spread
Up to 15 inches
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Water Needs
Low
Drought Tolerance
High
Bloom Time
Mid Summer
Features
- Provides excellent winter interest
- Highly deer resistant
- Thrives in hot, dry conditions
- Attractive vase-shaped growth habit
- Flowers contrast nicely with blue foliage
- Native to North America
- Low water needs
- Waterwise landscaping solution
What customers say
The Sideoats Grama Grass earns high marks for its remarkable reliability and quality. Gardeners consistently report successful establishment, noting how quickly the plants adapt and thrive, even when faced with challenging soil or drought. This native selection provides beautiful texture and color with minimal maintenance, proving to be a highly dependable and valuable addition for sustainable landscaping projects.
Know before you buy
Since this grass reaches a mature spread of about 15 inches, you should space plants 15 to 18 inches apart to allow for proper airflow and growth.
Yes, this grass is highly adaptable and performs well in various soil types, including clay, provided the area is not prone to standing water. It prefers well-drained conditions to thrive.
Sideoats Grama is very low-maintenance. It is drought-tolerant once established and generally only requires a simple cut-back in late winter or early spring to clear away old growth before the new season begins.
Yes, Sideoats Grama is considered highly deer-resistant. While no plant is completely immune to hungry wildlife, deer typically avoid this grass in favor of more palatable options.
This grass maintains a sturdy, vase-like structure throughout the colder months. Its light-catching stems and persistent seed heads provide texture and visual appeal even after the foliage has faded.
While it is primarily intended for landscape use, it can grow in a large container if you ensure the pot has excellent drainage and receives full sun throughout the day.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.
Ready to buy?
$14