Threads 23: Sweet Grass

Officially known as  hierochloe odourata, it is also known as sweet grass, holy grass, vanilla grass, and Indian grass.

The latter name is considered one of the four sacred plants used by North American indigenous people.

This indigenous bookmark is made with fine black ash, some dyed, and delicately woven was sweet grass. 9” long.

Sweet grass is very often used in indigenous basketry, often braided and woven in, or used in coiled basketry as the core.

Sweet grass is one of the first grasses to come up and flower in this area. It is not easy to find because, like hay,  the scent is not evident until it is dry. 

The grass varies in height, in my garden it only grows to be about 12-18 inches tall. The flower is delicate with little bell-like flowers, which then turn into seeds. Unfortunately, it is hard to germinate the seeds and it is much better to start with plants [see link below to purchase] 

If it likes you, it can become quite invasive and spreads underground by root.

To harvest sweet grass, June is the best month. I was taught to pull the long grass leaves up but some people say it is better to cut them. I was also taught to pull the bunch of grass through a pot of boiling water before hanging them up to dry.

As they dry, they have that wonderful smell, and can be made into a braid, hung up and enjoyed. Traditionally sweet grass have been used as part of a smudge.

Sweet grass can be bought from Richters Herb Plant nursery in Goodwood, Ontario, and found on-line at www.richters.com.

Indigenous split ash basket with braided sweet grass weaving.

Lidded coiled Indigenous basket. With sweet grass core and black linen thread and charming decorated edge.