Why It’s a Problem—and What We Can (and Can’t) Do About It

If you’re spotting tall, coarse clumps that don’t match the rest of your turf, you’re likely dealing with Bluestem. In warm-season lawns—Bermuda, Zoysia, St. Augustine—Bluestem is an aggressive invader that sticks out like a sore thumb.

 🔍 What Makes Bluestem So Bad?

  • Shoots up tall, wiry seed heads that tower over your turf
  • Crowds out healthy grass and steals moisture/nutrients
  • Survives low fertility, drought, and neglect better than your desirable lawn grasses
  • No selective post-emergent herbicide will take it out without also killing your turf

🚫 Why Mowing Alone Isn’t Enough

Standard mowing just chops the seed heads; they come right back in a few days. The plant keeps spreading underground while you chase the stalks.

 ✅ Realistic Control Options

  1. Spot-Spray & Resod
    • A carefully targeted, non-selective herbicide (e.g., glyphosate) will kill Bluestem—but it also kills your good grass.
    • After the patch is dead, cut it out and re-sod with matching Bermuda or Zoysia.
  2.  Suppress Seed Heads with a Plant Growth Regulator
    • While there’s no selective “kill” product, we can stop the seed heads—and the ragged look—using a PGR.
    • Our monthly Liquid Mow service applies that regulator. Result:
      • Seed heads stay suppressed for about 30 days.
      • Lawn looks uniform after mowing—no fuzzy stalks popping up two days later.
    • Important: Bluestem plants remain in the lawn; they’re just not producing seed heads.

 🧠 What to Expect

  • PGR = cosmetic control, not eradication. You still need healthy, dense turf to out-compete Bluestem over time.
  • If patches grow too large—or you’re planning a full renovation—spray-and-sod is the only permanent fix.
  • Avoid bringing in contaminated soil or hay, and mow at the proper height (≤ 1.5” for hybrid Bermuda) to give your desirable grass every advantage.

Bottom line: Bluestem won’t disappear on its own, and there’s no magic selective herbicide. But with honest advice, targeted spot spraying, and our Liquid Mow PGR program, we can keep it from ruining the look of your lawn.

📞 Ready to tame those seed heads—or plan a complete removal?

Call 1-800-LAWNCARE or book online at BurlesonLawnCare.com for a Bluestem evaluation.

Bluestem grass growing In a Burleson, Texas frontyard.