Upland Bent
Agrostis perennansfam. Poaceae
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Pl. 40C1 — Agrostis perennans
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IOverview
Overview
Upland Bent (Agrostis perennans) is a perennial grass native to regions including Alabama, Arkansas, and various areas in South America such as Argentina and Bolivia. It thrives in full sun to partial shade, growing up to 0.9 meters tall. This versatile plant can be found in diverse habitats ranging from dry to moist environments and prefers light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay) soils with a pH between 5.5 and 7.5. Known for its edible seed, Upland Bent is both ornamental and useful as a food source, making it a valuable addition to gardens and landscapes in suitable climates.
Quick answers
What is Upland Bent?
Upland Bent (Agrostis perennans) is a perennial grass native to regions including Alabama, Arkansas, and various areas in South America such as Argentina and Bolivia. It thrives in full sun to partial shade, growing up to 0.9 meters tall.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Upland Bent thrives in full to partial sun and prefers well-drained soils that are light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay). It is drought-tolerant but performs best in moist conditions with a pH between 5.5 and 7.5. This perennial grows up to 0.9 meters tall and can be propagated through seed. Hardy in temperate regions, it is native to parts of North America, South America, Central America, and Mexico. Harvest the seeds for edible use.
Light
Full sun, Partial sun/shade
Water
Dry, Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Life cycle
Perennial
Habit
Graminoid
Mature size
0.9 m tall
Soil pH
5.5–7.5
For first-time growers
How to grow Upland Bent for the first time
8steps
Start with Upland Bent as a simple, low-maintenance perennial grass.
- 1
What you'll need
Upland Bent seeds or seedlings, a garden trowel, and mulch.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring after the last frost or fall before the first freeze.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Choose a location with well-draining soil that's light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay). Ensure it gets full sun to partial shade.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct sow seeds 0.5 inches deep and 6-12 inches apart. For transplants, space them the same distance.
- 5
First two weeks
Keep soil moist until germination. Water less frequently once established.
- 6
Ongoing care
Water only when dry, fertilize sparingly if needed, and mow to maintain height.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune dead foliage in early spring to encourage new growth.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, using too much fertilizer, planting in poor soil, neglecting to prune, and not providing enough sunlight.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:Seed
Edible uses: The upland bent plant is edible and its seeds can be consumed. Typically, the seeds are harvested and prepared by drying before being eaten raw or incorporated into various dishes.
Other uses:Dynamic accumulator
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
30 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
30 native · 0 introducedDistribution across2 continents· 30 native
Asia1 region
native (1)Georgia
Americas7 regions
native (7)BoliviaColombiaDominican RepublicEcuadorGuatemalaHaitiHonduras
Broader regions
native:Alabama, Argentina Northeast, Argentina Northwest, Argentina South, Arkansas, California, Chile South, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Mexico Central, Mexico Gulf, Massachusetts
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXSee also
8 related
See also
8 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family (Poaceae), common use cases, and growing requirements.
same family · Poaceae
Botanical relatives — often share phytochemistry + growing needs.
XI
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Back to the cataloguePlant id · 40c18b87-450f-478d-be04-0b13c34c4e84
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