Switchgrass
Panicum virgatum
Varieties We Bring In
Last received Mar 11, 2026.
We bring this in seasonally, so what is on the lot changes week to week. A received date shows when it last came in, not that it is here today.
Call (904) 471-0440 to confirm this plant and size before you make the trip.
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
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
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 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.
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.
Similar needs
Snow Squarestem
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, low water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Common Mallow
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, low water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Firebush
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, low water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Live Oak
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, low water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Orchid Tree
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, low water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Silverthorn
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, low water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
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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.