How much sun does Annual wildrice need?

Annual wildrice grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Annual wildrice bloom?

Annual wildrice blooms in August and September.

Where is Annual wildrice native?

Annual wildrice (Zizania aquatica) is native to AL, CT, DC, DE and 30 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

Annual wildrice

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Zizania aquatica

Last reviewed: October 2026

Annual wildrice (Zizania aquatica) is a annual grass native to AL, CT, DC, DE and 30 more states. It blooms in August and September.

Toxicity unknown

Annual wildrice (Zizania aquatica) 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

full sun

Water

high

Size

48"–120" H × 24"–36" W

Bloom

Aug, Sep

Native to

AL, CT, DC, DE and 30 more states

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 460 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Great Plains Western Corn Belt Plains Northern Lakes and Forests North Central Hardwood Forests Driftless Area Southeastern Wisconsin Till Plains Central Corn Belt Plains Southern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift Plains Northeastern Highlands Northeastern Coastal Zone Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain Northern Piedmont Southeastern Plains Interior River Valleys and Hills Mississippi Alluvial Plain Southern Coastal Plain Acadian Plains and Hills Eastern Great Lakes Lowlands Atlantic Coastal Pine Barrens

Tall, annual aquatic grass that grows in shallow water along the margins of lakes, rivers, and marshes. Produces edible grain historically important to wildlife and people.

Growing Annual wildrice

Grow Annual wildrice in full sun and high water. Mature plants reach 48 to 120 inches tall and spread 24 to 36 inches wide.

Wildlife value

Seeds are an extremely important food source for waterfowl and marsh birds; dense stands provide cover for fish and aquatic wildlife.

Common questions

How much sun does Annual wildrice need?: Annual wildrice grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Annual wildrice bloom?: Annual wildrice blooms in August and September.
Where is Annual wildrice native?: Annual wildrice (Zizania aquatica) is native to AL, CT, DC, DE and 30 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

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.

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