Sweetgrass

Sweetgrass

Hierochloe odorata

Sweetgrass is a fragrant, rhizomatous, perennial grass that reaches a height of 2.5 feet. It grows primarily in wetlands and riparian areas. Sweetgrass usually inhabits moist ground on shores (fresh or brackish), meadows, low prairies, at the edges of woods, shaded stream banks, cool mountain canyons, and bogs and marshes. Normally, it is not found in pure stands but among other grasses and shrubs in mid-successional communities. It is not drought tolerant. Though Sweetgrass prefers rich, moist soils, it will grow in almost any soil that receives a minimum of a half day of sun. Sandy, well-drained sites will require mulch and watering during times of low rainfall.