Alaska brome

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Bromus sitchensis

Last reviewed: August 2026

Toxicity unknown

Alaska brome (Bromus sitchensis) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

part sun

Water

medium

Size

24"–48" H × 18"–24" W

Bloom

May, Jun, Jul

Native to

CA, OR, WA

Pollinators

wind-pollinated

Before you buy

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Puget Lowland Marine West Coast Forest Northwestern Forested Mountains Sierra Nevada Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Southern California Mountains Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

A robust, clumping perennial grass with broad, soft blades and open, drooping seed heads that appear in late spring along forest edges and coastal grassland. It has a looser habit than fine ornamental grasses.

Wildlife value

Seed heads provide food for birds, and the grass clumps offer shelter for small mammals and ground-nesting insects.

Common questions

How much sun does Alaska brome need?: Alaska brome grows best in part sun conditions.
When does Alaska brome bloom?: Alaska brome blooms in May, June, and July.
Where is Alaska brome native?: Alaska brome (Bromus sitchensis) is native to CA, OR, WA, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What pollinators does Alaska brome attract?: Alaska brome draws wind-pollinated.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

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Common questions

How much sun does Alaska brome need?

Alaska brome grows best in part sun conditions.

When does Alaska brome bloom?

Alaska brome blooms in May, June, and July.

Where is Alaska brome native?

Alaska brome (Bromus sitchensis) is native to CA, OR, WA, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

What pollinators does Alaska brome attract?

Alaska brome draws wind-pollinated.

Common plant problems, and what to check first

See all plant problem guides