Smut Grass: A Hardy, Low-Maintenance Grass with a Colorful Name
If you’ve ever wondered about that tough little grass with the rather unfortunate name, you’ve come to the right place! Smut grass (Sporobolus indicus) might not win any beauty contests with its moniker, but this resilient graminoid has some interesting qualities that make it worth understanding, especially if you’re dealing with challenging growing conditions.
What’s in a Name?
Known by several common names including smutgrass and West Indian dropseed, this grass gets its primary name from the dark, sooty appearance of its mature seed heads. While it might sound unappealing, the name actually comes from a plant disease called smut that affects various grasses, and the seed heads of this species have a similar dark appearance.
Native Status and Where You’ll Find It
Here’s where things get interesting from a native gardening perspective. Sporobolus indicus is native to Puerto Rico and Navassa Island, but it’s considered non-native in the continental United States, Hawaii, and most other U.S. territories. Despite this, it has established itself across a wide range of states and territories.
You can find smut grass growing in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and various U.S. territories including Guam, Palau, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
What Does Smut Grass Look Like?
Smut grass is a graminoid, meaning it’s part of the grass and grass-like plant family. It can grow as either an annual or perennial, depending on your climate and growing conditions. The plant forms dense tufts with narrow leaves and produces those distinctive dark seed heads that give it its common name.
Growing Conditions and Hardiness
One of smut grass’s strongest selling points is its adaptability. This tough little grass thrives in full sun and is remarkably drought tolerant once established. It’s not picky about soil quality and can actually do well in poor soils where other plants might struggle.
The plant typically grows in USDA hardiness zones 8-11, though it may survive as an annual in cooler zones. Across all regions where it grows, smut grass has a Facultative Upland wetland status, meaning it usually grows in non-wetland areas but can occasionally tolerate wetter conditions.
Should You Plant Smut Grass?
This is where things get nuanced. While smut grass isn’t currently listed as invasive or noxious, its non-native status in most of the U.S. means it’s not the best choice if you’re committed to native-only gardening. However, there are some scenarios where it might make sense:
- Erosion control on difficult slopes or disturbed soil
- Low-maintenance groundcover in challenging conditions
- Areas where few other plants will grow
- Temporary coverage while establishing other plants
Wildlife and Pollinator Value
Let’s be honest about the wildlife benefits – they’re pretty limited. Research shows that smut grass provides only 2-5% of terrestrial birds’ diets and offers sparse cover for wildlife. As a wind-pollinated grass, it doesn’t provide nectar or pollen for bees and other pollinators either.
Native Alternatives to Consider
If you’re looking for the hardiness of smut grass but want to support native ecosystems, consider these alternatives depending on your region:
- Buffalo grass (Bouteloua dactyloides) for drought-prone areas
- Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) for ornamental grass appeal
- Poverty oatgrass (Danthonia spicata) for poor soil conditions
- Regional sedges and native bunch grasses
Care and Maintenance
If you do decide to grow smut grass, the good news is that it’s incredibly low-maintenance. Once established, it requires minimal care and can handle drought conditions well. Be aware that it can self-seed readily, so you may want to consider this if you’re concerned about it spreading beyond your intended planting area.
The Bottom Line
Smut grass is a tough, adaptable plant that can serve a purpose in challenging growing conditions. While it’s not going to win any awards for wildlife support or native plant gardening, it can be a practical solution for difficult sites. Just remember that native alternatives often provide better ecological benefits while offering similar toughness and adaptability.
Whether you choose smut grass or a native alternative, the key is selecting plants that work well in your specific conditions while supporting your broader gardening goals.
