Native Grass Built for the High Plains

Blue Grama is one of the signature grasses of the Great Plains shortgrass prairie.

It naturally occurs across western Texas, eastern New Mexico, western Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, and much of the central and western Great Plains.

In Texas, Blue Grama is found across several ecological regions, including:

• High Plains
• Rolling Plains
• Trans-Pecos
• Edwards Plateau
• Cross Timbers
• South Texas Plains

That natural distribution makes it especially relevant for producers and landowners wanting a grass already adapted to the region’s climate.

Quality Native Forage for Livestock

Blue Grama provides good grazing for livestock and wildlife and is an important component of native shortgrass rangeland.

Its leaves remain relatively palatable during active growth, and the plant can also provide useful cured forage after dormancy.

Grazing Benefits

• Good cattle forage
• Useful for sheep and other grazing livestock
• Native adaptation
• Good forage quality during active growth
• Drought persistence
• Low-input management
• Works well in mixed native range
• Provides long-term perennial cover

Blue Grama should be managed as native rangeland, not like an intensively fertilized introduced forage grass.

Built to Survive Dry Years

One of Blue Grama’s defining traits is its ability to survive extreme drought.

Its extensive root system and low-growing habit allow the plant to conserve moisture and persist through dry periods that can severely stress more moisture-demanding grasses.

Drought Adaptation Benefits

• Excellent survival under limited rainfall
• Low irrigation requirement
• Strong persistence during dry years
• Good fit for dryland acreage
• Reduced input requirements
• Well suited to West Texas

Available moisture still affects forage production. Blue Grama may survive severe drought but produce less forage during extremely dry conditions.

Key Features

Native Shortgrass Species

Blue Grama is a native warm-season grass that plays a major role in the shortgrass prairie ecosystem.

Excellent Drought Tolerance

Blue Grama can survive extreme drought and is one of the most dependable native grasses for dry Great Plains environments.

Good Grazing Value

It provides good-quality forage for livestock and wildlife during active growth.

Extensive Root System

Blue Grama develops a prolific root system that helps it persist through drought and contributes to soil stabilization.

Low-Input Management

Established native stands generally require little fertilizer or irrigation compared with introduced pasture grasses.

Short Growth Habit

Most plants remain relatively short, typically under about 2 feet tall.

Distinctive Seed Head

Blue Grama produces curved, comb-like seed heads often described as looking like eyebrows or eyelashes.

Strong Regional Adaptation

It is naturally adapted to the High Plains, Rolling Plains, and Trans-Pecos regions of Texas.

One of the Most Naturally Adapted Grasses for the Region

Blue Grama is particularly well suited to West Texas because it occurs naturally in the High Plains and Trans-Pecos.

It is adapted to:

• Hot summers
• Low rainfall
• Cold winters
• Wind
• Periodic drought
• Full sun
• Low-input management

Potential West Texas uses include:

• Native pasture
• Ranchland
• Reclamation
• Wildlife habitat
• Roadside plantings
• Erosion control
• Low-maintenance landscapes
• Native grass mixtures

For dryland acres where long-term persistence matters more than maximum forage tonnage, Blue Grama can be an excellent fit.

Plant Shallow for Better Establishment

Blue Grama seed is very small and should be planted shallow into a firm seedbed.

General Planting Information

• Crop Type: Warm-season perennial native grass
• Scientific Name: Bouteloua gracilis
• Primary Uses: Grazing, native range, reclamation, erosion control
• Growth Habit: Bunchgrass to short sod-forming grass
• Planting Season: Spring into early summer
• Sun Requirement: Full sun
• Planting Method: Drill or broadcast
• Planting Depth: Approximately ¼ inch or less
• Water Requirement: Low once established

A native grass drill can help achieve better seed placement, especially on larger acreage.

Use Pure Live Seed as the Standard

Blue Grama seed is extremely small, with roughly 700,000–800,000 seeds per pound depending on the cultivar and seed lot.

A useful general rate is:

• Drilled: approximately 1–3 lb. PLS/acre
• Broadcast: increase the drilled rate by approximately 50–100%

Higher broadcast rates may be useful on:

• Harsh sites
• Slopes
• Erosion-prone ground
• Sites where faster coverage is desired

Final rates should be based on:

• Pure live seed
• Germination
• Seed purity
• Drill vs. broadcast
• Seedbed condition
• Mixture composition

Use the current seed tag and Jack Seed & Supply’s recommendation for the specific seed lot being planted.

What Does Blue Grama Bring to the Field?

Crop: Blue Grama

Scientific Name: Bouteloua gracilis

Crop Type: Warm-season perennial native grass

Growth Habit: Bunchgrass to short sod-forming grass

Typical Height: Usually less than 2 feet

Primary Uses: Native pasture, grazing, rangeland, reclamation, erosion control

Forage Value: Good

Wildlife Value: Good

Drought Tolerance: Excellent

Heat Tolerance: Excellent

Cold Tolerance: Excellent

Water Requirement: Low

Shade Tolerance: Poor

Wet Soil Tolerance: Poor

Acid Soil Tolerance: Poor

Root System: Extensive and fibrous

Approximate Seed Count: 700,000–800,000 seeds/lb.

Drilled Seeding Rate: Approximately 1–3 lb. PLS/acre

Broadcast Rate: Approximately 1.5–2 times drilled rate

Life Cycle: Perennial

West Texas Adaptation: Excellent

What is Blue Grama?

Blue Grama is a native warm-season perennial grass and one of the dominant grasses of the Great Plains shortgrass prairie.

Is Blue Grama good for cattle?

Yes. It provides good grazing forage for cattle and other livestock during active growth.

Is Blue Grama good for West Texas?

Yes. It is naturally adapted to the Texas High Plains, Rolling Plains, and Trans-Pecos.

Is Blue Grama drought tolerant?

Yes. It can survive extreme drought and is one of the most drought-adapted native grasses available for the Southern High Plains.

How much Blue Grama should I plant per acre?

A general drilled rate is approximately 1–3 lb. PLS/acre. Broadcast rates are typically increased by 50–100%.

How deep should Blue Grama be planted?

Very shallow—generally around ¼ inch or less.

Is Blue Grama a perennial?

Yes. It is a warm-season perennial native grass.

Can Blue Grama be planted with Buffalograss?

Yes. They naturally occur together and make an excellent shortgrass prairie mixture.

Is Blue Grama good for lawns?

It can be used in native or low-maintenance landscapes, particularly when combined with Buffalograss, but it generally produces a more natural prairie appearance than a conventional lawn.

Does Blue Grama need irrigation?

Once established, it has very low water requirements. Supplemental moisture can improve growth, but it is naturally adapted to dryland conditions.

Is Blue Grama good for erosion control?

Yes. Its perennial growth and extensive root system make it useful for reclamation and soil stabilization.

Does Blue Grama tolerate shade?

No. It performs best in full sun and generally does poorly under dense shade.