Poverty Oat Grass (Danthonia spicata)

Poverty Oat Grass

Danthonia spicata

Poverty Oat Grass is a cool-season, clump-forming grass that reaches 8 to 30 inches in height. It has thin, wiry leaves that curl when dry, and it produces small seed heads from July to August. This grass thrives in poor, sandy, or rocky soils and is commonly found in fields, savannas, and pine stands. It is highly adaptable to nutrient-deficient soils and is useful for erosion control, naturalistic plantings, and woodland edges where other grasses struggle to grow.

Characteristics

Product Form	Plant, Seed
Type	Graminoid
Sun	Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade
Soil	Clay, Sand/Gravel
Moisture	Dry, Mesic
Average Max Height (inches)	18
Suggested Plant Spacing (inches)	6
Dominance	Medium

Range Maps

Sowing Information

Sow seed onto a firm, weed-free seedbed. Hand-broadcast seed making two perpendicular passes for even coverage. If planting a mix, broadcast the grass component first and lightly rake/drag it into the top 1/8–1/4" of soil. Next, broadcast wildflower/forb seed and press it into the soil surface (with a roller/cultipacker or the back of a rake) to ensure good seed-to-soil contact. After seeding, apply a very light layer of clean, seed-free straw (or other weed-free, site-appropriate mulch) to reduce erosion and retain moisture without smothering seedlings. A good rainfall or thorough watering will help settle seed and mulch and improve germination.

Planting Information

Dig a hole in your planting site slightly larger than the plant’s root system. When placing the plant into the hole, ensure that the soil line remains consistent with its original level in the pot. Fill in around the roots with the excavated soil, gently firming it to eliminate air pockets. Water the plant thoroughly the same day to promote successful establishment.