Also known as Switchgrass · 1.3k gardener saves
Panicum: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Panicum, the genus most gardeners know as switchgrass. We track 15 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 12 most-saved Panicum varieties
Of 15 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedShenandoah Switchgrass
Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah'
#2 most saved'Northwind' Switchgrass
Panicum virgatum 'Northwind'
#3 most savedCheyenne Sky Switchgrass
Panicum virgatum 'Cheyenne Sky'
Switchgrass Niagara Falls
Panicum virgatum 'Niagara Falls'
Apache Rose Switchgrass
Panicum virgatum 'Apache Rose'
Switchgrass
Panicum virgatum 'Rotstrahlbusch'
Switchgrass
Panicum virgatum
Heavy Metal Switchgrass
Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal'
Dewey Blue Coastal Panicgrass
Panicum amarum 'Dewey Blue'
Switchgrass Hot Rod
Panicum virgatum 'Hot Rod'
Cloud Nine Switchgrass
Panicum virgatum 'Cloud Nine'
Switchgrass Prairie Sky
Panicum virgatum 'Prairie Sky'
Browse all 15 Panicum varieties →
How to grow Panicum
What the Panicum varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 15 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Panicum year
- DivideMarch and April100% of varieties
Divide large, established clumps every 3-5 years in early spring.
- PruneJanuary and February87% of varieties
Cut back old, dead foliage to 4-6 inches before new growth starts
- PlantMarch, April and September40% of varieties
Plant new divisions or container stock in spring as soil warms.
Do
- Water deeply during dry spells 🌱
- Divide clumps every 3-4 years
- Water during dry spells 🌱
- Prune dead foliage in late winter
- Water during prolonged dry spells 🌱
Avoid
- Overwater in winter ❌
- Avoid overwatering, which can cause root rot ❌
- Don’t fertilize excessively
- Never cut back in late summer
What goes wrong with Panicum
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing and speckled foliage | Use organic insecticidal soap and increase humidity |
| Japanese Beetles | May occasionally feed on foliage, but rarely cause significant damage. | Hand-pick beetles and drop them into soapy water. Damage is usually cosmetic and doesn't require chemical control. |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing and speckled leaves | Apply insecticidal soap and increase humidity |
| Rust | Orange pustules on leaves | Apply copper fungicide and improve air circulation |
| Root rot | Wilting and browning at base | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| Root Rot | Wilting and discolored roots | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
Making more Panicum
Division
- Dig up clump in early spring
- Divide into sections with sharp knife or spade
- Replant divisions immediately
- Water thoroughly after planting
division
- Dig up mature clumps in early spring.
- Use a sharp spade to divide into sections, each with roots.
- Plant divisions immediately at the same depth.
- Water thoroughly and mulch around divisions.
- Allow 6 weeks for establishment.
Panicum questions
How many types of Panicum are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 15 distinct Panicum varieties. The most popular — ranked by 1.3k real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Panicum grow in?
Across its varieties, Panicum covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Panicum bloom?
Most Panicum varieties bloom in late summer, late summer to mid-fall, mid-summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Panicum should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
More on Panicum
Panicum shows up in
By hardiness zone
Design with Panicum in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
