Carolina Crabgrass
Digitaria cognata
Last reviewed: August 2026
Toxicity unknown
Carolina Crabgrass (Digitaria cognata) 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
low
Size
12"–36" H × 6"–18" W
Bloom
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Native to
AL, AR, CT, DE and 28 more states
Pollinators
bees, beetles
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 areaBrowse plants for this ecoregion
Fall witchgrass is a native warm-season bunch grass that forms clumps of fine-textured foliage. It produces delicate seed heads from summer through fall and tolerates drought well once established.
In an HOA neighborhood
Carolina Crabgrass takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- Name includes 'witchgrass' which has weedy associations
- May be confused with crabgrass by HOA boards
- Informal grass appearance doesn't match typical landscaping expectations
Wildlife value
The grass provides nectar and pollen for bees and beetles during its extended bloom period. Seeds offer food for birds and small wildlife.
Common questions
- How much sun does Carolina Crabgrass need?
- Carolina Crabgrass grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Carolina Crabgrass bloom?
- Carolina Crabgrass blooms in June, July, August, and September.
- Where is Carolina Crabgrass native?
- Carolina Crabgrass (Digitaria cognata) is native to AL, AR, CT, DE and 28 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- What pollinators does Carolina Crabgrass attract?
- Carolina Crabgrass draws bees and beetles.
- Is Carolina Crabgrass HOA-friendly?
- Carolina Crabgrass takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. 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 Carolina Crabgrass? 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