Heirloom

Lowlander

Setaria italica

Easy cut-flower grass that is useful both fresh and dried. Soft, 3-6" pendulous heads.

Harvest

60-70d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun

☀️

Zones

11–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

5 feet

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Transplant

Direct Sow

Transplant

Direct Sow

Showing dates for Lowlander in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 grass →

Zone Map

Click a state to update dates

Lowlander · Zones 11–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Moderate

Spacing12-18 inches

SoilWell-drained soil, adaptable to moderate drought; avoid waterlogged conditions

WaterHigh — consistent moisture needed

SeasonWarm season annual

ColorTan, golden, or pale green with natural aging

Size3-6"

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	—	June – August	May – July	—
Zone 4	—	June – July	April – June	—
Zone 5	—	May – July	April – June	—
Zone 6	—	May – July	April – June	—
Zone 7	—	May – June	March – May	—
Zone 8	—	April – June	March – May	—
Zone 9	—	March – May	February – April	—
Zone 10	—	March – April	January – March	—
Zone 11	—	February – March	January – February	—

Succession Planting

Lowlander is a warm-season annual grain that produces one seed head per stalk — once you harvest at 60–70 days, that plant is done. Succession planting makes sense if you want a spread-out harvest window or want to ensure at least one sowing hits ideal conditions. Direct sow every 3 weeks from when soil reaches 60°F through early June; stop there or you risk grain fill landing in peak heat above 90°F, which tanks seed set.

In zone 7, that gives you roughly two to three sowing rounds — a March or April start, a second in May, and a possible third in early June if your summers run late. Don't push past that. A sowing that germinates in June will spend its grain-fill weeks in August, and you'll get thin, disappointing heads for the effort.

Complete Growing Guide

Growing Lowlander (Setaria italica) grass. Light: Full sun. Hardy in USDA zones 1 to 11. Days to maturity: 60. Difficulty: Moderate.

Harvesting

Lowlander reaches harvest at 60 - 70 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds. Expect 3-6" at peak. As an annual, harvest continues until frost ends the season.

This is an ornamental variety — not grown for harvest. Enjoy in the garden landscape.

Storage & Preservation

Fresh-cut Lowlander stems last longest in a cool location (60-65°F) away from ripening fruit and direct heat sources. Condition stems by recutting at a 45-degree angle and standing them in room-temperature water with floral preservative for 2-3 hours before arranging. Change water every 2-3 days and remove any foliage below the waterline to prevent bacterial growth. Properly maintained arrangements last 7-10 days.

For drying, hang-dry bundles in a warm (70-75°F), dark, well-ventilated space like an attic, garage, or dedicated drying closet. Adequate air circulation prevents mold. Allow 2-3 weeks for complete drying. Once fully cured, store bundles upright or flat in cardboard boxes lined with acid-free tissue paper in a dry, dark location. Protect from humidity and pests. Properly dried Lowlander plumes remain beautiful and usable for 2-3 years or longer when protected from moisture.

History & Origin

Lowlander is open-pollinated, meaning seed saved from healthy plants will produce true-to-type offspring. Listed in the Johnny's Selected Seeds catalog.

Foxtail millet, scientific name Setaria italica, is an annual grass grown for human food. It is the second-most widely planted species of millet and the most grown millet species in Asia. The oldest evidence of foxtail millet cultivation was found along the ancient course of the Yellow River in Cishan, China, carbon dated to be from around 8,000 years before present.

Advantages

+Soft pendulous heads create elegant, delicate arrangements for florists
+Versatile for both fresh and dried flower arrangements
+Moderate 60-70 day growing cycle allows multiple successions
+Low maintenance crop requires minimal pest or disease management

Considerations

-Moderate difficulty rating suggests inconsistent germination or establishment challenges
-Pendulous heads prone to shattering during harvest or handling
-Limited commercial demand compared to other specialty cut flowers

Companion Plants

White clover, chamomile, and yarrow earn their spots around Lowlander primarily as ground-level support: they fix or accumulate nutrients, attract parasitic wasps and other predatory insects, and keep bare soil covered without competing at the root depth a 5-foot grain grass needs. Dandelion and plantain do similar work through a different mechanism — deep taproots that pull up minerals and deposit them at the surface when the plants die back, which helps a crop that can exhaust lighter soils by day 50 or so. Wild strawberry and thyme fill the edges and pull in pollinators during flowering, which matters more for Setaria seed set than most growers expect.

Black walnut is the serious problem. Juglone — the allelopathic compound released by walnut roots, hulls, and leaf litter — suppresses grasses reliably, and an established black walnut can make a 50-foot radius genuinely difficult for Lowlander to perform in. Wild garlic competes hard for moisture at exactly the shallow-to-mid soil depth where Lowlander's fibrous roots are doing most of their work, and that moisture competition lands at the worst possible time: grain fill, when the plant can't afford to share.

Plant Together

White Clover

Fixes nitrogen in soil, creating natural fertilizer for grass growth

Chamomile

Improves soil health and may enhance grass root development

Yarrow

Deep roots bring nutrients to surface, benefiting shallow grass roots

Dandelion

Aerates compacted soil with taproot, improves drainage for grass

Plantain

Tolerates foot traffic well, complements grass in high-use areas

Red Fescue

Compatible grass species that creates diverse, resilient lawn mixture

Wild Strawberry

Low-growing groundcover that doesn't compete with grass height

Thyme

Drought-tolerant herb that can fill gaps without overwhelming grass

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Releases juglone toxin that inhibits grass growth and causes yellowing

Allegheny Spurge

Aggressive spreader that outcompetes grass for space and nutrients

Wild Garlic

Bulbs multiply rapidly and create patchy areas that crowd out grass

Pests & Disease Resistance

Diseases

Fungal issues (powdery mildew, rust) in humid, poorly ventilated conditions

Troubleshooting Lowlander

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

White powdery coating on leaves and stems, usually appearing mid-season when plants are dense

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew (Blumeria graminis or related species) — thrives in humid air with poor circulation
Crowded spacing under 12 inches that traps moisture between stalks

What to Do

1.Thin plants to at least 12 inches apart so air can move through
2.Remove and trash (don't compost) the worst-affected leaves
3.Apply a dilute baking soda spray (1 tablespoon per gallon of water) as a low-cost suppression measure — it won't cure an advanced case, but it slows spread

Orange or reddish-brown pustules on leaf undersides, often appearing in streaks along the blade

Likely Causes

Crown rust or stem rust (Puccinia species) — common on Setaria in warm, wet stretches
Overhead irrigation that keeps foliage wet for more than a few hours at a time

What to Do

1.Switch to drip or base-level watering to keep leaves dry
2.Pull and destroy infected plants — rust spreads fast and doesn't respond well to home remedies once established
3.Rotate the bed out of grasses for at least one full season before replanting

Seedlings emerging spindly and pale, then collapsing at the soil line within the first 14 days

Likely Causes

Damping-off (Pythium or Rhizoctonia species) — triggered by soil that is too wet and too cold at germination
Direct sowing into soil below 60°F, which stretches germination past the 14-day window and invites pathogen pressure

What to Do

1.Wait until soil temperature is at least 60°F — ideally 65°F — before sowing
2.Improve drainage in the bed; Lowlander needs consistent moisture but not standing water
3.Thin to 12–18 inches early; packed seedlings create the humid microclimate damping-off needs to take hold

Plants reach 3–4 feet but produce sparse, poorly filled seed heads at harvest

Likely Causes

Inconsistent watering during the 2–3 weeks of pollination and grain fill — Lowlander is a high-water crop at this stage
Planting too late so grain fill hits sustained heat above 90°F
Nitrogen depletion in light soils by mid-season

What to Do

1.Water deeply (at least 1 inch per week) once the seed head begins to emerge — don't let the bed go dry at this stage
2.Side-dress with finished compost or a light application of 10-10-10 fertilizer around day 35 after germination
3.Time your direct sow so the 60–70 day harvest window closes before peak summer heat arrives

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Lowlander grass take to flower from seed?▼

Lowlander typically reaches harvestable stage 60-70 days after germination under good growing conditions. Direct-sown seeds germinate in 7-14 days, then develop foliage for 3-4 weeks before initiating flower production. Seeds started indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost will flower shortly after transplanting outdoors, sometimes within 4-6 weeks of outdoor planting depending on temperature and daylight.

Can you grow Lowlander grass in containers?▼

Yes, Lowlander grows well in containers sized 12-18 inches deep with drainage holes and quality potting soil. Container-grown plants require more frequent watering than in-ground plants, especially during hot weather. Use a balanced slow-release fertilizer every 6-8 weeks. Containers limit plant size slightly compared to garden planting, but still produce abundant, harvestable plumes suitable for fresh or dried arrangements.

Is Lowlander grass good for beginners?▼

Yes, Lowlander is an excellent choice for beginning gardeners. It has high seed germination rates, moderate difficulty, tolerates a range of soil conditions, and requires minimal fertilizer or pest management. The main considerations are providing full sun and ensuring good air circulation. Its forgiving nature and reliable performance make it an ideal first ornamental grass project.

When should I plant Lowlander grass?▼

Direct sow Lowlander outdoors after your last spring frost once soil reaches 60°F consistently, usually mid-to-late spring depending on your zone. Alternatively, start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost and transplant after hardening off. Planting in spring allows maximum growing time before harvest in mid-to-late summer, typically 60-70 days after germination.

How do you dry Lowlander grass for dried arrangements?▼

Harvest fully mature plumes when they've begun to naturally dry on the plant and feel papery. Bundle 5-8 stems with twine and hang upside down in a warm (70-75°F), dark, well-ventilated space away from direct light. Adequate air circulation is critical to prevent mold. Drying takes 2-3 weeks. Once cured, store bundles in cardboard boxes with acid-free tissue in a dry location; they last 2-3 years or longer.

What space should I leave between Lowlander plants?▼

Space Lowlander plants 12-18 inches apart to ensure adequate air circulation and reduce fungal disease risk. Proper spacing is especially important in humid climates. Crowded plants produce weaker growth and are more susceptible to fungal problems. Allowing room between plants encourages fuller, more robust plume development and easier harvesting.