Skip to content

Prairie Switch Grass, Bitter Panicu

Panicum Amarum

Design with this plant

Overview

Prairie Switch Grass, Panicum amarum, thrives in full sun, tolerating drought with deep roots. This perennial grass grows 3 to 6 feet tall, offering excellent erosion control. Its fine-textured, blue-green foliage adds movement, while airy seed heads persist into winter, providing visual interest and wildlife support. Space plants about 36 inches apart for a naturalistic meadow or as accent specimens. Hardy in zones 4-9, ideal for coastal landscapes.

Sun FullWater LowZones 8–11Climate Temperate
Prairie Switch Grass, Bitter Panicu (Panicum Amarum) — Prairie Switch Grass, Panicum amarum, thrives in full sun, tolerating drought with deep roots
Prairie Switch Grass, Bitter Panicu (Panicum Amarum) — This perennial grass grows 3 to 6 feet tall, offering excellent erosion controlPrairie Switch Grass, Bitter Panicu (Panicum Amarum) — blue-green foliage adds movementPrairie Switch Grass, Bitter Panicu (Panicum Amarum) — while airy seed heads persist into winterPrairie Switch Grass, Bitter Panicu (Panicum Amarum) — providing visual interest and wildlife supportPrairie Switch Grass, Bitter Panicu (Panicum Amarum) — Space plants about 36 inches apart for a naturalistic meadow or as accent specimensPrairie Switch Grass, Bitter Panicu (Panicum Amarum) — Hardy in zones 4-9, ideal for coastal landscapes

Culture

Sun
Full
Water
Low
USDA zones
8–11

Shape & size

Classification

Family
Poaceae
Climate
Temperate

See full data, regional cultivation notes, full-resolution photos, and design tools. Build a client presentation around this plant.

Start your 14-day trial

Photos (7)

Prairie Switch Grass, Bitter Panicu (Panicum Amarum) — Prairie Switch Grass, Panicum amarum, thrives in full sun, tolerating drought with deep roots
Prairie Switch Grass, Bitter Panicu (Panicum Amarum) — This perennial grass grows 3 to 6 feet tall, offering excellent erosion control
Prairie Switch Grass, Bitter Panicu (Panicum Amarum) — blue-green foliage adds movement
Prairie Switch Grass, Bitter Panicu (Panicum Amarum) — while airy seed heads persist into winter
Prairie Switch Grass, Bitter Panicu (Panicum Amarum) — providing visual interest and wildlife support
Prairie Switch Grass, Bitter Panicu (Panicum Amarum) — Space plants about 36 inches apart for a naturalistic meadow or as accent specimens
Prairie Switch Grass, Bitter Panicu (Panicum Amarum) — Hardy in zones 4-9, ideal for coastal landscapes

Related plants

June Grass (Koeleria Macrantha) — June Grass (Koeleria macrantha) is a perennial cool-season bunchgrass featuring fine-textured foliage

June Grass

Koeleria Macrantha

Full · Zones 5–10

Gold Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa Macra 'All Gold') — Hakonechloa macra 'All Gold', or Gold Japanese Forest Grass, is a vibrant, golden-yellow ornamental

Gold Japanese Forest Grass

Hakonechloa Macra 'All Gold'

Half · Zones 5–9

Silver Arrow Miscanthus (Miscanthus Sinensis 'Silberfeder') — is a striking ornamental grass standing up to 7 feet tall and 4 feet wide

Silver Arrow Miscanthus

Miscanthus Sinensis 'Silberfeder'

Full · Zones 5–9

Florida Gamagrass (Tripsacum Floridanum) — commonly known as Florida Gamagrass

Florida Gamagrass

Tripsacum Floridanum

Full · Zones 5–10

'Blue Paradise' Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) — ‘Blue Paradise’ Little Bluestem

'Blue Paradise' Little Bluestem

Schizachyrium scoparium

Full

Boulder Blue Fescue (Festuca 'Boulder Blue') — Boulder Blue Fescue (Festuca 'Boulder Blue') is a striking ornamental grass with vibrant steel-blue foliage

Boulder Blue Fescue

Festuca 'Boulder Blue'

Full · Zones 8–10