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Cord Grass is a Florida-native ornamental grass that tolerates wet and dry conditions. Ideal for rain gardens, pond edges, and Southwest Florida landscapes.
| Mature Height: | 4–6 ft. |
|---|---|
| Mature Width: | 3–5 ft. |
| Sunlight: | Full Sun (6–8+ Hours) |
| Water Needs: | Low to Moderate |
| Growth Rate: | Moderate |
| Botanical Name: | Spartina bakeri |
| Grows Well In Zones: | USDA Zones : 8-11 |
Cord Grass – A Florida-Native Grass for Wet and Dry Landscapes
Handles temporary flooding and seasonal dry periods once established. Suitable for rain gardens, drainage areas, pond edges, and native plantings.
Cord Grass, also known as Sand Cordgrass, is a Florida-native ornamental grass that forms large clumps of narrow, arching green leaves. It tolerates changing soil moisture, including temporaryflooding and dry periods once established. In Southwest Florida, it is commonly used in rain gardens, pond edges, drainage areas, and native landscape plantings. Botanically known as Spartinabakeri (also classified as Sporobolus bakeri), typically grows 3–5 feet tall and 3–5 feet wide. Its long, narrow leaves form dense, rounded clumps that provide consistent foliage coverage in largerlandscape beds.
This Florida-native grass grows best in full sun to light shade and adapts to sandy, moist, or periodically wet soils. It performs particularly well in areas where soil moisture changes between Southwest Florida's rainy and dry seasons.
For landscape planting, space Cord Grass approximately 3–5 feet apart, depending on the starting plant size and desired coverage. Its clumping growth makes it suitable for mass plantings, pondbanks, drainage swales, and open slopes where broad foliage coverage is needed.
Newly planted Cord Grass requires regular watering while its roots become established. Mature plants tolerate temporary flooding and extended dry periods, making them suitable for areas whereirrigation and drainage conditions vary throughout the year.
Cord Grass develops an extensive fibrous root system that helps stabilize soil along pond banks, slopes, and areas exposed to stormwater runoff. Its dense growth can also provide shelter for birdsand other small wildlife.
Cord Grass grows at a moderate rate and requires minimal maintenance. Older leaves may turn brown during cooler weather and can be trimmed back in late winter before new spring growthbegins. Established clumps generally require little fertilizer.
Why You'll Love It
Changing Moisture Tolerance: Handles temporary flooding, wet soil, and dry periods once established, making it suitable for areas with seasonal moisture changes.
Soil Stabilization: Dense fibrous roots help hold soil in place along slopes, pond banks, and drainage areas exposed to runoff.
Florida-Native Growth: Naturally adapted to Florida's growing conditions and provides foliage cover for birds and other small wildlife.
Large Clumping Form: Develops wide, rounded groups of arching green leaves that fill open landscape areas without forming a woody hedge.
Sun Requirements: Grows best in full sun to light shade, making it suitable for open landscape beds and drainage areas.
Water Needs: Requires regular watering during establishment. Mature plants tolerate both temporary flooding and extended dry periods.
Mature Size: Approximately 3–5 feet tall and 3–5 feet wide, depending on growing conditions.
Best Uses: Rain gardens, freshwater pond edges, drainage swales, slopes, native landscape beds, stormwater areas, and large mass plantings.
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