Photo: Justin PonderCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Blood Bluestem Plant Care
Schizachyrium sanguineum (Retz.) Alston
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This plant's most distinctive visual feature is its striking purplish-red foliage that adds a pop of color to any garden. Originating from North America, Schizachyrium sanguineum is highly sought after by plant collectors for its drought tolerance and ability to attract birds with its seeds.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun
60–85°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Blood Bluestem?
Water Blood Bluestem every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun. It prefers temperatures of 60–85°F (16–29°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 8 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Blood Bluestem Native To?
What Is the Blood Bluestem?
Blood Bluestem (Schizachyrium sanguineum) belongs to the Poaceae family within the Schizachyrium genus. Blood Bluestem is native to the United States, as well as in Central and South America. Blood Bluestem is also known as Red Bluestem.
Blood Bluestem displays an upright clumping grass growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Blood Bluestem produces small, inconspicuous flowers on narrow spikes.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Blood Bluestem?
Schizachyrium sanguineum requires watering every 7–14 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Blood Bluestem Need?
Blood Bluestem thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Blood Bluestem Prefer?
Schizachyrium sanguineum grows best at temperatures of 60–85°F. Blood Bluestem prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–85°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Blood Bluestem?
Well-draining sandy loam with good aeration. Good drainage is essential for Blood Bluestem to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Blood Bluestem?
Feed Blood Bluestem every 8 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 8 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Blood Bluestem?
Divide clumps every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Blood Bluestem?
Blood Bluestem can be propagated through division, seed. Similar propagation techniques also apply to little bluestem plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Blood Bluestem Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Blood Bluestem, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Blood Bluestem?
Blood Bluestem is susceptible to grasshoppers, aphids, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Blood Bluestem Need?
Blood Bluestem grows outdoors in USDA Zone 8a – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 8a. Blood Bluestem is native to the United States, as well as in Central and South America.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 8a – 11b
Keep exploring plants
Blood Bluestem is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Schizachyrium genus — compare its care with other Schizachyrium species on PlantoScan.
Schizachyrium is part of the Poaceae plant family — browse all Poaceae genera and species.
Blood Bluestem thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Schizachyrium sanguineum (Retz.) Alston, family Poaceae (first published in Handb. Fl. Ceylon 6(Suppl.): 334 (1931)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Blood Bluestem, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: Justin Ponder, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 8a – 11b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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