Plant care
Broomsedge Bluestemtemperature & humidity
Andropogon virginicus
More about broomsedge bluestem
Ideal temperature for broomsedge bluestem
Temperature kills fewer broomsedge bluestem plants than you'd think. What kills them is the micro-climate within a normal-temperature room — a leaf pressed against single-glazed winter glass, the hot dry updraft directly above a radiator, the cold blast from an AC vent. The thermostat reading at -23°C to 42°C (-10°F to 108°F) is fine; the spot you put the plant in matters more. Below roughly -23°C growth pauses; cold beyond that pushes it into dormancy rather than killing it outright.
Cold tolerance & winter care
Broomsedge Bluestem is comparatively hardy (USDA 5-10, RHS H6). Within that range it tolerates a cold dormant spell outdoors; outside it, grow it in a container you can move under cover or overwinter in a cool but frost-free spot. Hardiness assumes an established plant in well-drained soil — a wet, cold root zone kills far more plants than cold air alone.
Humidity for broomsedge bluestem
Broomsedge Bluestem sits happiest at around 40–80% relative humidity. Native to the humid eastern and southeastern US, Broomsedge tolerates higher humidity than Great Plains bluestems. No humidity management is required; it is well-adapted to the humid summers of its native range. The usual low-humidity tell is crisp brown leaf tips and edges while the soil moisture is fine — a sign the air, not the watering, is the problem. If you need to raise it, the reliable methods are grouping plants together, standing the pot on a tray of damp pebbles (the pot above the waterline, never in it), or running a small humidifier in winter when indoor heating dries the air most. Misting is the least effective — it raises humidity for minutes, not hours.
Broomsedge Bluestem temperature & humidity — frequently asked questions
What temperature is best for broomsedge bluestem?
Broomsedge Bluestem grows best between -23°C to 42°C (-10°F to 108°F). Keep it out of cold draughts, off freezing windowsills in winter, and away from the hot dry air directly above radiators — the extremes matter far more than the average room temperature.
How cold can broomsedge bluestem tolerate?
Broomsedge Bluestem starts to suffer below roughly -23°C. It tolerates a cold dormant period within USDA 5-10, but a wet cold root zone is more dangerous than cold air.
What humidity does broomsedge bluestem need?
Broomsedge Bluestem prefers about 40–80% relative humidity. Native to the humid eastern and southeastern US, Broomsedge tolerates higher humidity than Great Plains bluestems. No humidity management is required; it is well-adapted to the humid summers of its native range.
How do I raise humidity for broomsedge bluestem?
Group it with other plants, stand the pot on a tray of damp pebbles (kept above the waterline), or run a small humidifier in winter. Misting only helps for a few minutes, so it is the weakest option for a plant that genuinely needs more humidity.
Can broomsedge bluestem live outside?
Broomsedge Bluestem is rated for USDA zone 5-10 and RHS hardiness H6. Within that range it can stay outdoors; outside it, grow it in a moveable container and protect the roots from a wet, cold winter.
More broomsedge bluestem care
In the UK? Keeping broomsedge bluestem warm in a UK home covers the radiator, single-glazing and heating-season humidity angle. Temperature and humidity are one piece. See the full broomsedge bluestem care guide, its cold-hardiness guide, and watering schedule — humidity and watering problems are easy to confuse.