When does Pseudoroegneria spicata bloom?

Pseudoroegneria spicata, commonly called bluebunch wheatgrass, flowers in May and June, sending up slender seed spikes above its basal leaf clumps.

What light and water conditions does bluebunch wheatgrass need?

This bunchgrass performs best in full sun and needs very little supplemental water once established, making it well suited to dry, open sites with fast draining soil.

Is Pseudoroegneria spicata useful for pollinators?

Bees are known to visit the flowers of Pseudoroegneria spicata, though as a grass it relies mainly on wind for pollination and its main wildlife value comes from forage and cover.

What does bluebunch wheatgrass look like when it is not blooming?

Outside of its May and June bloom period, Pseudoroegneria spicata forms tidy bunches of narrow, blue green leaves that can fade to tan during hot, dry summer months and green up again with cooler, moist weather.

Is Beardless Wheatgrass toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Beardless Wheatgrass as toxic to livestock.

Is Beardless Wheatgrass HOA-friendly?

Beardless Wheatgrass is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.

Beardless Wheatgrass

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Pseudoroegneria spicata

Last reviewed: September 2026

Pseudoroegneria spicata is a cool season perennial bunchgrass that blooms in May and June and does best in full sun with low water once it is established in dry, open rangeland settings.

Toxicity unknown

Beardless Wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata) 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 Beardless Wheatgrass as toxic to livestock.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

12"–36" H × 12"–24" W

Bloom

May, Jun

Native to

AZ, CA, CO, ID and 12 more states

Pollinators

bees

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.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Puget Lowland Northwestern Forested Mountains Sierra Nevada North American Deserts Central Basin and Range Mojave Basin and Range Southern Rockies Arizona/New Mexico Mountains Chihuahuan Deserts High Plains Northwestern Glaciated Plains Northwestern Great Plains

Bluebunch wheatgrass is a bunchgrass that forms neat, upright clumps with blue-green foliage. It produces attractive seed heads in late spring and maintains its form through most of the year, making it an excellent low-water landscaping choice.

Growing Beardless Wheatgrass

Grow Beardless Wheatgrass in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 12 to 36 inches tall and spread 12 to 24 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Beardless Wheatgrass is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.

Works well in: front yard, foundation, street edge, mid zone.

Wildlife value

This grass provides important habitat and food for native wildlife, with its flowers attracting bees in late spring. The seeds feed birds and small mammals throughout the summer and fall.

Common questions

When does Pseudoroegneria spicata bloom?: Pseudoroegneria spicata, commonly called bluebunch wheatgrass, flowers in May and June, sending up slender seed spikes above its basal leaf clumps.
What light and water conditions does bluebunch wheatgrass need?: This bunchgrass performs best in full sun and needs very little supplemental water once established, making it well suited to dry, open sites with fast draining soil.
Is Pseudoroegneria spicata useful for pollinators?: Bees are known to visit the flowers of Pseudoroegneria spicata, though as a grass it relies mainly on wind for pollination and its main wildlife value comes from forage and cover.
What does bluebunch wheatgrass look like when it is not blooming?: Outside of its May and June bloom period, Pseudoroegneria spicata forms tidy bunches of narrow, blue green leaves that can fade to tan during hot, dry summer months and green up again with cooler, moist weather.
Is Beardless Wheatgrass toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Beardless Wheatgrass as toxic to livestock.
Is Beardless Wheatgrass HOA-friendly?: Beardless Wheatgrass is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

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

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