FAQ's & How To's

A septic area is one of the few places where “deep roots” are not always the goal. In most prairie plantings, deep-rooted native plants are a major benefit because they build soil, handle drought, and stabilize the site. Over a septic tank or drainfield, though, it is smarter to use shorter, shallower-rooted native plants that cover the soil without putting aggressive roots near pipes, chambers, or shallow system components. The safest approach is to plant a short, dry prairie or native pollinator mix made mostly of low-growing grasses, sedges, and herbaceous wildflowers. Good native grass and sedge options include sideoats grama, silky wild rye, blue grama, prairie dropseed, Junegrass, and shortbeak sedge, depending on your soil and sunlight. These species stay relatively manageable, provide erosion control, and do not create the same concerns as trees, shrubs, or large wetland plants. For flowers, look for shorter native species that fit dry to medium soils and do not need heavy irrigation. Good options include butterfly milkweed, black-eyed Susan, lanceleaf coreopsis, prairie alumroot, wild petunia, prairie smoke, shooting star, Ohio spiderwort, purple prairie clover, pale purple coneflower, nodding onion, harebell, and golden Alexanders. On a septic area, the goal is not to create the tallest, most aggressive prairie on the farm. The goal is to create a stable, low-input planting that supports pollinators while protecting the system underneath. Check out our native prairie septic mix in the Native Mixes Shop. Avoid trees, shrubs, deep-rooted woody plants, wetland species, vegetables, raised beds, heavy mulch, irrigation, and any plant that makes you want to dig deeply. Do not drive equipment over the area, add a lot of soil, or till it aggressively. If the septic area is wet, smells bad, or grows unusually lush, treat that as a septic issue first and a planting question second. Once the system is functioning correctly, a shorter native planting can be a great fit.