Side-oats Woodgrass Plant Care
Sorghastrum secundum Nash in Small
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Sorghastrum secundum is a species of grass known by the common name lopsided Indiangrass. It is native to the Southeastern United States.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun
60–90°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Side-oats Woodgrass?
Water Side-oats Woodgrass every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun. It prefers temperatures of 60–90°F (16–32°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 8 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Side-oats Woodgrass Native To?
What Is the Side-oats Woodgrass?
Side-oats Woodgrass (Sorghastrum secundum) belongs to the Poaceae family within the Sorghastrum genus. Side-oats Woodgrass is native to the Southeastern United States.
Side-oats Woodgrass displays a tall, upright grass growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Side-oats Woodgrass produces tall, feathery panicles in late summer.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Side-oats Woodgrass?
Sorghastrum secundum 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 Side-oats Woodgrass Need?
Side-oats Woodgrass thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Side-oats Woodgrass Prefer?
Sorghastrum secundum grows best at temperatures of 60–90°F. Side-oats Woodgrass prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–90°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Side-oats Woodgrass?
Well-draining sandy loam with good fertility. Good drainage is essential for Side-oats Woodgrass to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Side-oats Woodgrass?
Feed Side-oats Woodgrass 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 Side-oats Woodgrass?
Repot every 1-2 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 Side-oats Woodgrass?
Side-oats Woodgrass can be propagated through division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to elliott's yellow indiangrass plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Side-oats Woodgrass Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Side-oats Woodgrass, 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 Side-oats Woodgrass?
Side-oats Woodgrass is susceptible to grasshoppers, aphids, armyworms. 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 Side-oats Woodgrass Need?
Side-oats Woodgrass grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Side-oats Woodgrass is native to the Southeastern United States. In cooler regions, grow Side-oats Woodgrass as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Side-oats Woodgrass 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 Sorghastrum genus — compare its care with other Sorghastrum species on PlantoScan.
Sorghastrum is part of the Poaceae plant family — browse all Poaceae genera and species.
Side-oats Woodgrass 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: Sorghastrum secundum Nash in Small, family Poaceae (first published in Fl. S.E. U.S. : 67 (1903)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Side-oats Woodgrass, 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 13a, 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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