How much sun does Carolina Foxtail need?

Carolina Foxtail grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Carolina Foxtail bloom?

Carolina Foxtail blooms in May, June, and July.

Where is Carolina Foxtail native?

Carolina Foxtail (Alopecurus carolinianus) is native to AL, AR, AZ, CA and 39 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

Is Carolina Foxtail toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Carolina Foxtail as toxic to livestock.

Is Carolina Foxtail HOA-friendly?

Carolina Foxtail takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Carolina Foxtail

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Alopecurus carolinianus

Last reviewed: August 2026

Toxicity unknown

Carolina Foxtail (Alopecurus carolinianus) 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 Carolina Foxtail as toxic to livestock.

Light

full sun

Water

medium

Size

4"–24" H × 2"–12" W

Bloom

May, Jun, Jul

Native to

AL, AR, AZ, CA and 39 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 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Sierra Nevada Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Central California Valley Southern California Mountains Northwestern Forested Mountains North American Deserts Central Basin and Range High Plains Central Great Plains Great Plains Cross Timbers Edwards Plateau Texas Blackland Prairies East Central Texas Plains Western Gulf Coastal Plain South Central Plains Ozark Highlands Central Irregular Plains Northwestern Glaciated Plains Northwestern Great Plains Piedmont Northern Glaciated Plains Western Corn Belt Plains Southeastern Wisconsin Till Plains Central Corn Belt Plains Eastern Corn Belt Plains Southern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift Plains Huron/Erie Lake Plains Northeastern Coastal Zone Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain Northern Piedmont Southeastern Plains Ridge and Valley Western Allegheny Plateau Interior Plateau Interior River Valleys and Hills Mississippi Alluvial Plain Mississippi Valley Loess Plains

Carolina foxtail is a low-growing annual grass that forms small clumps with narrow leaves and soft, cylindrical flower spikes. It blooms from May through July, producing fuzzy seed heads that give it its foxtail name. This native grass typically stays under 2 feet tall and has a relatively short growing season.

In an HOA neighborhood

Carolina Foxtail takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: moderate. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Annual growth means gaps and bare spots in landscaping
Grass-like appearance may be perceived as weedy
Inconsistent presence year to year typical of annuals

Wildlife value

As a native grass, it provides seeds for small birds and ground-dwelling wildlife. The plant serves as habitat for various insects during its growing season.

Common questions

How much sun does Carolina Foxtail need?: Carolina Foxtail grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Carolina Foxtail bloom?: Carolina Foxtail blooms in May, June, and July.
Where is Carolina Foxtail native?: Carolina Foxtail (Alopecurus carolinianus) is native to AL, AR, AZ, CA and 39 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
Is Carolina Foxtail toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Carolina Foxtail as toxic to livestock.
Is Carolina Foxtail HOA-friendly?: Carolina Foxtail 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 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.

See all plant problem guides

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