Andropogon gerardii

Also known as

Andropogon gerardii, big bluestem, turkeyfoot, tall bluestem, bluejoint and Andropogon gerardii

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Andropogon gerardi

Genus

Andropogon

Family

Poaceae

Order

Poales

How to care for Andropogon gerardii

💦 Water

How often to water your Andropogon gerardii

Andropogon gerardii needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Andropogon gerardii in your home

Andropogon gerardii love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Andropogon gerardii does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Andropogon gerardii in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Andropogon gerardii

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Andropogon gerardii: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Andropogon gerardii after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

Andropogon gerardii is generally easy to care for, though some plant parents report facing challenges with growing it. Check out the reviews down below to read more about their experiences!

How to Grow Andropogon gerardii →

Benefits of Growing Andropogon gerardii →

Common Andropogon gerardii Problems →

Outdoor Care Guide for Andropogon gerardii →

💦 Water Needs

Andropogon gerardii prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Andropogon gerardii Water Frequency →

Andropogon gerardii Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Andropogon gerardii requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Andropogon gerardii Light Requirements →

Andropogon gerardii Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Andropogon gerardii is not known to cause harm to humans or pets. Regardless, if you, a family member, a cat, or dog has ingested any plant material, please consult a doctor or a veterinarian.

Is Andropogon gerardii Edible? →

Andropogon gerardii Toxicity to Cats →

Andropogon gerardii Toxicity to Dogs →

Andropogon gerardii Toxicity to Humans →

🪴 Soil

Andropogon gerardii does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!

Best Soil Mix for Andropogon gerardii →

Best Pots for Andropogon gerardii →

When and How to Successfully Repot Andropogon gerardii →

What Are Healthy Andropogon gerardii Roots →

💩 Fertilizer

Andropogon gerardii should be repotted after it doubles in size or once a year, whichever comes first. Fresh potting soil has all the nutrients your plant needs, so as long as it’s refreshed yearly, you shouldn’t need to use fertilizer. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

How Much and When to Fertilize Andropogon gerardii →

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Andropogon gerardii is a clumping plant, meaning new growth will emerge from the soil around the parent plant.

Andropogon gerardii Lifecycle →

Andropogon gerardii Size Guide →

How and When to Prune Andropogon gerardii →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Andropogon gerardii can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 4a-9b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Andropogon gerardii Temperature Tolerance →

Andropogon gerardii Hardiness Zones →

Landscaping Ideas with Andropogon gerardii →

When to Plant Andropogon gerardii →

How to Plant Andropogon gerardii →

Where to Plant Andropogon gerardii →

Winter Care for Andropogon gerardii →

Best Companion Plants for Andropogon gerardii →

Is Andropogon gerardii a Weed? →

🌱 Propagation

The seeds of Andropogon gerardii can be used to grow new plants! After your plant flowers, any seeds that formed can be collected and germinated in potting soil.

How to Propagate Andropogon gerardii →

🍂 Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.

Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Andropogon gerardii, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.

Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.