How to Grow Squirreltail Grass
Wikimedia Commons
Squirreltail Grass
Elymus elymoides
grassSquirreltail grass is a native North American bunchgrass prized for its distinctive fuzzy, bristled seed heads that resemble squirrel tails. It is a cool-season perennial that thrives in arid and semi-arid climates, making it excellent for xeriscaping and native plant gardens. This hardy grass provides striking visual interest, wildlife habitat, and requires minimal maintenance once established.
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Example Squirreltail Grass timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Squirreltail Grass
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Squirreltail Grass
Around Jul 16≈ 90 days after planting
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Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-8, particularly well-suited to high-elevation and arid western regions
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Germination
2-3 weeksSeeds sprout and produce initial shoots; fine grass blades emerge from soil
Keep soil consistently moist until germination occurs; provide temperature stratification (cold period) by planting in fall; cover lightly with mulch to retain moisture
Seedling & Establishment
6-8 weeksYoung grass develops a shallow root system and multiple tillers; several green shoots emerge
Water moderately during first growing season to promote root establishment; maintain consistent moisture; reduce watering as grass matures; minimal fertilizer needed
Vegetative Growth
Several months (spring through early summer)Mature bunchgrass with dense, fine blue-green foliage; tufts expand and become more robust
Established plants are very drought-tolerant; no supplemental water typically needed in native habitats; minimal fertilizer required; avoid overwatering
Flowering & Seed Head Formation
2-3 months (late spring through mid-summer)Tall flower culms (shoots) emerge with distinctive fuzzy, nodding seed heads resembling squirrel tails; awns are prominent and feathery
Peak ornamental period; allow seed heads to develop fully for visual impact; do not deadhead if you want self-seeding; these heads provide wildlife food
Seed Maturity & Dormancy
Variable; through summer into fallSeed heads dry and may turn brown or tan; seeds are mature and ready to disperse naturally; plants enter summer dormancy in hot climates
Leave seed heads standing for wildlife and self-seeding; no watering needed; allow natural dormancy; cut back in fall or spring before new growth
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Typically minor issue; allow natural predators to manage; pesticides rarely needed for native plantings
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Prevent by ensuring excellent drainage; improve soil with sand or gravel; do not overwater; select well-drained sites
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Rare in arid climates; improve air circulation; avoid overhead watering; remove affected foliage if present
Uses
Wildlife Food & Habitat
WildlifeThe seeds provide nutrition for birds and small mammals; standing seed heads offer shelter and nesting materials for various wildlife species. Native bees and insects utilize the grass in their ecosystem. [source]
Dried Floral Arrangements
HouseholdThe distinctive fuzzy seed heads make spectacular dried flower arrangements and bouquets, adding texture and visual interest to indoor décor. The heads maintain their shape and color for extended periods when properly dried. [source]
Landscape Design & Xeriscaping
CraftExcellent for native plant gardens, prairie restorations, xeriscape landscapes, and erosion control in arid regions. Provides seasonal visual interest with minimal maintenance once established. [source]
Low-Maintenance Ornamental Plantings
HouseholdOnce established, requires virtually no water, fertilizer, or pest management, making it ideal for sustainable landscaping and water-conservation gardens. Very hardy and long-lived perennial. [source]
Erosion Control & Soil Stabilization
WildlifeDeep root systems help prevent soil erosion on slopes and disturbed areas; used in restoration and stabilization projects throughout western North America. [source]
Harvest Tips
Squirreltail grass is ornamental rather than harvested for food. Collect seed heads in late summer or early fall when fully mature and dry; cut entire culms with seed heads and hang-dry in bundles for dried arrangements. Allow plants to self-seed by leaving seed heads standing. For dried arrangements, harvest when awns are fully developed but before excessive shattering occurs; handle gently as seed heads are delicate.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 The seed heads can travel long distances by clinging to animal fur with their barbed awns, earning the grass the nickname 'squirreltail'—nature's brilliant seed dispersal mechanism.
- 🌱 Squirreltail grass is a cool-season grass that remains green through spring and early summer but enters dormancy during hot, dry periods, dropping its seed heads before retreating underground.
- 🌱 Native American tribes historically used this grass and other native plants for basketry, thatching, and as forage for their livestock, making it a culturally significant species in western ecosystems.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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