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Carolina Crabgrass

Digitaria cognata

Last reviewed: August 2026

Carolina Crabgrass (Digitaria cognata)
Photo: (c) Shirley Zundell, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Shirley Zundell

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 437 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

Chihuahuan DesertsHigh PlainsSouthwestern TablelandsCentral Great PlainsGreat PlainsCross TimbersEdwards PlateauSouthern Texas PlainsTexas Blackland PrairiesEast Central Texas PlainsWestern Gulf Coastal PlainSouth Central PlainsEastern Temperate ForestsOzark HighlandsCentral Irregular PlainsPiedmontWestern Corn Belt PlainsNorthern Lakes and ForestsNorth Central Hardwood ForestsDriftless AreaSoutheastern Wisconsin Till PlainsCentral Corn Belt PlainsEastern Corn Belt PlainsSouthern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift PlainsHuron/Erie Lake PlainsNortheastern HighlandsNortheastern Coastal ZoneMiddle Atlantic Coastal PlainNorthern PiedmontSoutheastern PlainsInterior PlateauInterior River Valleys and HillsMississippi Alluvial PlainSouthern Coastal PlainEastern Great Lakes LowlandsAtlantic Coastal Pine Barrens

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.

Ready to grow Carolina Crabgrass? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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