Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Origin
Mexico, South-Central United States, Southeastern United States
Middle Africa
Types
Dallas Blues grass, Rotstrahlbush grass
Perennial Grass
Habitat
Prairies, Roadsides, Warmer regions
Floodplains, Forest margins, Tropical regions, waterways, Wet lands, Woodlands
USDA Hardiness Zone
4-10
7-11
AHS Heat Zone
12 - 3
12 - 1
Sunset Zone
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
A1, A2, A3, H1, H2, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Clump-Forming
Clump-Forming
Flower Color
Pink
Sandy Brown
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
Bicolor
Leaf Color in Spring
Green, Dark Green
Purple
Leaf Color in Summer
Light Green
Light Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green, Dark Green, Brown
Purple
Leaf Color in Winter
Tan, Brown
Purple
Leaf Shape
Grass like
Long Linear
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun
Growth Rate
Medium
Very Fast
Type of Soil
Clay, Loam, Sand
Clay, Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
Late Summer, Early Fall, Fall
Summer, Late Summer
Tolerances
Salt
Cold climate, Drought, Salt
Where to Plant?
Ground
Ground
How to Plant?
Divison, Seedlings
Budding, Seedlings
Plant Maintenance
Low
Low
Watering Requirements
Water frequently while growing, Water more frequently during periods of extreme drought
Requires regular watering, Water more in summer
In Summer
Lots of watering
Lots of watering
In Spring
Moderate
Moderate
In Winter
Average Water
Average Water
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Type
Clay, Loam, Sand
Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
Well drained
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun
Pruning
Prune when plant is dormant, Remove dead or diseased plant parts
Remove dead leaves, Remove dead or diseased plant parts
Fertilizers
No fertilizers needed
Nitrogen, organic fertlizers
Pests and Diseases
Aphids, Ladybug
Insects, Red blotch
Plant Tolerance
Drought
Cold climate, Drought, Salt
Flower Petal Number
Single
Single
Foliage Texture
Fine
Fine
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Glossy
Attracts
Ladybug beetles
Birds, Flying insects
Allergy
-
Asthma, breathing problems
Aesthetic Uses
Showy Purposes
-
Environmental Uses
Air purification, Shelter for wildlife
Air purification, Amazing growth rate, Food for animals, Food for insects, Prevent Soil Erosion, Shelter for wildlife, Wildlife, Windbreak
Medicinal Uses
-
Eye Problems, Headache, Skin Disorders, Wounds
Part of Plant Used
Whole plant
Leaves, Seeds
Other Uses
Used as Ornamental plant
Food for animals, Used As Food
Used As Indoor Plant
No
No
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
Yes
Garden Design
Dried Flower / Everlasting, Container, Edging, Feature Plant, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall
Bedding Plant, Feature Plant, Foundation, Mixed Border
Botanical Name
Panicum virgatum
PENNISETUM purpureum 'Prince'
Common Name
Shenandoah grass, switchgrass
Elephant Grass
In Hindi
Shenandoah grass
हाथी घास
In German
Shenandoah grass
Elefantengras
In French
Shenandoah grass
l'herbe à éléphant
In Spanish
Shenandoah grass
pasto elefante
In Greek
Shenandoah grass
ελέφαντα χόρτο
In Portuguese
Shenandoah grass
capim-elefante
In Polish
Shenandoah grass
trawa słoniowa
In Latin
Shenandoah grass
elephanti herba
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Liliopsida
Liliopsida
Genus
Muhlenbergia
Pennisetum
Clade
Angiosperms, Commelinids, Monocots
Angiosperms, Commelinids, Monocots