Annual Bluegrass
Poa annua
Last reviewed: August 2026
Toxicity unknown
Annual Bluegrass (Poa annua) 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.
The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Annual Bluegrass as toxic to livestock.
Light
part sun
Water
medium
Size
2"–10" H × 2"–8" W
Bloom
Apr, May, Jun, Jul
Native alternatives to Annual Bluegrass
Annual Bluegrass is not native to the United States. These natives fill a similar role in a planting, matched on bloom season, bloom color and mature size.
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaAnnual bluegrass is a short-lived cool-season grass that germinates in fall and dies in summer heat. It forms small tufts with fine-textured bright green leaves and produces inconspicuous seed heads in spring and early summer.
In an HOA neighborhood
Annual Bluegrass takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: high. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
- Widely considered a weedy pest grass
- Creates patchy, uneven appearance in lawns
- Dies back leaving bare spots
Wildlife value
Provides minimal wildlife value as it produces wind-pollinated flowers with little nectar or pollen for insects. Seeds may provide food for small birds.
Common questions
- How much sun does Annual Bluegrass need?
- Annual Bluegrass grows best in part sun conditions.
- When does Annual Bluegrass bloom?
- Annual Bluegrass blooms in April, May, June, and July.
- Is Annual Bluegrass toxic to livestock?
- The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Annual Bluegrass as toxic to livestock.
- Is Annual Bluegrass HOA-friendly?
- Annual Bluegrass takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
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.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Annual Bluegrass? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
Planning a bed around it? Start a free plan with this plant
Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz