Northern Blue-eyed Grass Plant Care
Sisyrinchium septentrionale E.P.Bicknell
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Sisyrinchium septentrionale, the northern blue-eyed grass, is a plant species native to western North America. It has been known from Canada, and 4 counties in the US State of Washington and 2 in Montana.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Northern Blue-eyed Grass?
Water Northern Blue-eyed Grass every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Northern Blue-eyed Grass Native To?
What Is the Northern Blue-eyed Grass?
Northern Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium septentrionale) belongs to the Iridaceae family within the Sisyrinchium genus. Northern Blue-eyed Grass is native to western North America.
Northern Blue-eyed Grass displays a clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Northern Blue-eyed Grass produces small, star-shaped flowers in shades of blue, purple, or yellow.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Northern Blue-eyed Grass?
Sisyrinchium septentrionale requires watering every 7–10 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 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Northern Blue-eyed Grass Need?
Northern Blue-eyed Grass thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Northern Blue-eyed Grass Prefer?
Sisyrinchium septentrionale grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Northern Blue-eyed Grass prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Northern Blue-eyed Grass?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Northern Blue-eyed Grass to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Northern Blue-eyed Grass?
Feed Northern Blue-eyed Grass every 6 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 6 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 Northern Blue-eyed Grass?
Divide and repot 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 Northern Blue-eyed Grass?
Northern Blue-eyed Grass can be propagated through division of rhizomes, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to bermuda blue-eyed grass plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Northern Blue-eyed Grass Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Northern Blue-eyed Grass, 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 Northern Blue-eyed Grass?
Northern Blue-eyed Grass is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, thrips. 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 Northern Blue-eyed Grass Need?
Northern Blue-eyed Grass grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Northern Blue-eyed Grass is native to western North America. In cooler regions, grow Northern Blue-eyed Grass as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Northern Blue-eyed Grass 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 Sisyrinchium genus — compare its care with other Sisyrinchium species on PlantoScan.
Sisyrinchium is part of the Iridaceae plant family — browse all Iridaceae genera and species.
Northern Blue-eyed Grass thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Sisyrinchium Species
Other Sisyrinchium species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Sisyrinchium septentrionale E.P.Bicknell, family Iridaceae (first published in Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 26: 452 (1899)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Northern Blue-eyed Grass, 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.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- 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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