Common Cotton-grass
Eriophorum angustifolium
Last reviewed: June 2026
Common Cotton-grass is a wetland sedge native to northern US states from Maine to Washington. It produces distinctive white cottony seed heads from April through July in bogs and wet meadows.
The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Common Cotton-grass as toxic to livestock.
Light
full sun
Water
high
Size
12"–36" H × 6"–18" W
Bloom
Apr, May, Jun, Jul
Native to
CO, IA, ID, IL and 15 more states
Common cotton-grass is a wetland sedge that produces distinctive white, fluffy seed heads resembling cotton balls in summer. This moisture-loving plant thrives in boggy conditions and wet soils where few other plants can survive.
Growing Common Cotton-grass
Grow Common Cotton-grass in full sun and high water. Mature plants reach 12 to 36 inches tall and spread 6 to 18 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Common Cotton-grass 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.
- Requires constantly wet soil conditions
- Has wild, unmaintained appearance
- Seed heads can look messy as they age
Wildlife value
The seeds provide food for waterfowl and wetland birds. The plant offers nesting material and habitat for marsh-dwelling wildlife.
Common questions
- Where does Common Cotton-grass naturally grow?
- Common Cotton-grass is native to northern states including Colorado, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
- When does Eriophorum angustifolium bloom?
- Common Cotton-grass blooms from April through July, producing small flowers followed by the characteristic white cottony seed heads that give the plant its common name.
- What growing conditions does Common Cotton-grass prefer?
- This sedge thrives in consistently wet to boggy soils in full sun to partial sun conditions. It is commonly found in wetlands, bogs, fens, and wet meadows.
- Is Common Cotton-grass actually a grass?
- Despite its common name, Common Cotton-grass is not a true grass but rather a sedge in the family Cyperaceae. It has the triangular stems characteristic of sedges rather than the round stems of true grasses.
- Is Common Cotton-grass toxic to livestock?
- The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Common Cotton-grass as toxic to livestock.
- Is Common Cotton-grass HOA-friendly?
- Common Cotton-grass 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 USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
Ready to grow Common Cotton-grass? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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