Cattail Sedge
Carex typhina
Last reviewed: August 2026
Carex typhina, or cattail sedge, is a clump-forming grass-like perennial that grows in wet, shaded woodlands and blooms from May through July.
Toxicity unknown
Cattail Sedge (Carex typhina) 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 Cattail Sedge as toxic to livestock.
Light
part sun
Water
high
Size
12"–36" H × 12"–24" W
Bloom
May, Jun, Jul
Native to
AL, AR, CT, DE and 26 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 areaBrowse plants for this ecoregion
Cattail sedge is a clumping native grass that forms neat tufts of arching green foliage. It produces small, inconspicuous flowers from late spring through summer and requires consistently moist soil to thrive.
Growing Cattail Sedge
Grow Cattail Sedge in part sun and high water. Mature plants reach 12 to 36 inches tall and spread 12 to 24 inches wide. Expect high maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Cattail Sedge takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: high. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- High water requirements make it impractical for most landscapes
- May appear unkempt during winter dormancy
- Grass-like appearance could be mistaken for weedy growth
Wildlife value
This sedge provides important cover and nesting material for birds, while its seeds feed various songbirds and waterfowl.
Common questions
- How much sun does cattail sedge need?
- Cattail sedge does best in part sun to shady spots, such as under a hardwood canopy, and tends to struggle in full sun paired with dry soil.
- How much water does Carex typhina require?
- This sedge needs consistently moist to wet soil and is often found along stream banks, in floodplain forests, and in low woodland pockets that stay saturated.
- When does cattail sedge bloom?
- Carex typhina produces its inconspicuous flower spikes from May through July.
- Is cattail sedge a good option for a wet, shaded spot in the yard?
- Yes. Its preference for high moisture and part sun to shade makes it a practical choice for low areas that stay damp after rain or sit under tree cover.
- Is Cattail Sedge toxic to livestock?
- The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Cattail Sedge as toxic to livestock.
- Is Cattail Sedge HOA-friendly?
- Cattail Sedge takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.
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 Cattail Sedge? 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