Prairie Brome is a soft and graceful cool-season grass that adds a touch of movement and delicate texture to the prairie or savanna. Growing in slender clumps up to 3.5 feet tall, it is easily recognized by its drooping, hairy spikelets that hang from loose, airy panicles. The foliage is notably soft to the touch, with fine hairs covering both the leaves and stems, giving the plant a slightly silvery or muted green appearance. It is a conservative species typically found in high-quality habitats like fens, jack pine forests, and limestone-rich prairies. Wildlife enthusiasts will appreciate that Prairie Brome serves as a host plant for various skipper butterflies and provides nutritious seeds for songbirds and small mammals. It performs best in moist to dry-mesic conditions and has a strong preference for calcareous or alkaline soils. While it is relatively short-lived compared to some other native grasses, it reseeds reliably to maintain its presence in the garden. Use it in a mixed prairie planting to enjoy its early-season growth and elegant, nodding seed heads.

Quick facts

• Height: Up to 3.5 ft
• Sun: Full to Partial
• Soil moisture: Medium-Wet to Medium-Dry
• Bloom time: Jul–Sep
• Life cycle: Perennial
• Notes: Short-lived, Cool-season
• Native range: Native to 21 states, including Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, South Dakota, North Dakota

See the full growing guide and county range map for Prairie Brome