Grass
Switchgrass
Panicum virgatum
Varieties We Carry
StandardPanicum virgatum
Sizes & Pricing
1 galFrom$6.95
Fresh this week. Last restocked Mar 11.
LightFull Sun, Part Sun
WaterLow
Mature size3-6 feet × 2-3 feet
About Switchgrass
Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) is a native North American prairie grass forming upright, airy clumps 3–6 feet tall with fine-textured foliage and billowing seed panicles that feed songbirds through winter. Fully hardy in NE Florida's Zone 9b, it tolerates sandy soils, periodic flooding, and drought once established, making it an excellent low-maintenance ornamental grass for Florida landscapes. Starting at $6.95.
Plant details
- Bloom Season
- Summer, Fall
- Flower Color
- Pink
- Growth Rate
- Fast
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- Sandy, Clay, Loam, Acidic, Wet, Well-drained
Best planting months
Recommended forZone 9b · St. Augustine, FL
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This monthGood windowOther months
Seasonal care
New foliage emerges. Good planting window.
Bloom season. Handles summer heat well once established.
Bloom season. Foliage may begin to change or drop.
Dormant — drops foliage.
Care essentials
Light
Switchgrass performs best in full sun (6+ hours daily). Insufficient light causes drooping, weak clumps, and reduced ornamental value. It tolerates light partial shade but flowers and habit suffer.
Water
Water regularly during the first season to establish deep roots. Once established, switchgrass is highly drought tolerant and typically requires only occasional deep watering during extended dry periods in NE Florida.
Soil & Fertilizer
Highly adaptable to Florida's sandy, clay, or moist soils; thrives without supplemental fertilizer. Rich soil or excess nitrogen causes floppy stems. Cut back to the ground in late winter before new growth emerges.
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Common questions
Is Switchgrass a good plant for St. Augustine?
Switchgrass is a grass for Zone 9b coastal Florida gardens, reaching 3-6 feet × 2-3 feet.
Care information verified from
Last reviewed March 2026. Our care guidance comes from trusted horticulture sources and decades of helping St. Augustine gardeners. Conditions here can vary dramatically from one area to the next, so come ask us and we'll tailor it to your yard.