Sweet Grass

About Sweet Grass

Sweet Grass is a sacred and highly aromatic native grass cherished for its sweet, vanilla-like fragrance caused by coumarin, which intensifies when dried. This cool-season perennial features glossy green blades and delicate, bronze-colored seed heads that appear in late spring to early summer, typically reaching 1 to 2.5 feet in height. Native to moist meadows, marshes, and bogs across the northern United States and Canada, it spreads via vigorous rhizomes to form lush, fragrant patches. Sweet Grass is deeply significant in many Indigenous cultures, where it is braided and used in traditional ceremonies and basketry. In the garden, it thrives in rich, moist-to-wet soils and full to partial sun, making it a perfect addition to rain gardens or pond edges. While it can be an aggressive spreader in ideal conditions, its ecological value is high, providing cover for small wildlife and serving as a host for several moth species. Its unique scent and cultural heritage make it a truly special addition to any native plant collection.