Grass · Sonoran native
Sand Dropseed
Sporobolus cryptandrus · Poaceae
Also called: Dropseed
Sand Dropseed (Sporobolus cryptandrus) is a very low-water grass native to the Sonoran Desert region well suited to Tucson and the low desert. It grows to 1-3 ft H x 1-2 ft W (flower panicles to ~3 ft) in full sun.
Sand Dropseed at a glance
- Water use
- Very Low (established)
- Sun
- Full sun
- Mature size
- 1-3 ft H x 1-2 ft W (flower panicles to ~3 ft)
- Growth rate
- Moderate to fast; establishes easily from seed
- Bloom
- Tan to purplish (open, pyramidal seed panicle), Summer into fall (responds to summer monsoon rains, roughly July-October)
- Cold hardiness
- Very cold hardy; tolerates well below 0 F (roughly USDA zones 4-9)
- Soil
- Adaptable to most soils but thrives on sandy, well-drained sites; tolerates poor, gravelly, and disturbed soils.
- Native range
- Native across most of North America, including Arizona and the Sonoran Desert region; common in southern Canada, the western and central U.S., and northern Mexico.
- Best used as
- Revegetation, Erosion control, Naturalistic / native grass plantings, Wildlife habitat, Forage
- Wildlife
- Seeds are an important food source for songbirds, quail, and small mammals; provides cover and nesting material. Larval host and habitat for various insects.
- Toxicity
- Non-toxic; a palatable forage grass for livestock and wildlife.
How to grow Sand Dropseed in Tucson & the low desert
Watering
Drought tolerant once established; in Tucson, water deeply once or twice a month in the hot dry season and rely largely on monsoon rain. Avoid overwatering, which causes flopping.
Fertilizer & nutrients
Generally needs no fertilizer in native desert soils; an annual light application of nitrogen in spring can boost vigor in ornamental plantings but is not required.
Pruning & care
Cut back clumps to a few inches above the crown in late winter (Feb) to remove old growth before spring green-up; otherwise leave standing for wildlife and texture.
Notes
Warm-season perennial bunchgrass and a cornerstone native grassland species. Reseeds readily, which makes it excellent for restoration but can spread in irrigated landscapes. The fine 'fountain' of seedheads catches light attractively.
Sources: USDA NRCS Plant Guide (Sporobolus cryptandrus); Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center; University of Arizona Cooperative Extension native/wildlife plant lists; Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum