Prairie Cord Grass is a formidable, warm-season native grass known for its aggressive growth and exceptional ability to stabilize wet soils. Reaching impressive heights of six to eight feet, it features long, arching leaf blades that turn a beautiful golden-yellow in the fall. In mid-to-late summer, it produces distinctive, comb-like flower spikes that are cross-pollinated by the wind. This grass is native to wet prairies, marshes, and swales throughout the United States and is particularly valued for its ability to outcompete invasive species like Reed Canary Grass. It provides essential nesting habitat for wetland birds and serves as a host plant for several specialized moths, including the Four-lined Borer. While its rhizomatous nature makes it too aggressive for small garden beds, it is an ideal selection for large-scale restoration projects or erosion control along shorelines.

Quick facts

• Height: 6–8 ft
• Sun: Full to Partial
• Soil moisture: Wet to Medium
• Bloom time: Jul–Sep (Green)
• Life cycle: Perennial
• Notes: Warm-season, Aggressive, Rhizomatous
• Native range: Native to 41 states, including Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska

See the full growing guide and county range map for Cord Grass