How much sun does Coral bristlegrass need?

Coral bristlegrass grows best in part shade conditions.

When does Coral bristlegrass bloom?

Coral bristlegrass blooms in August, September, and October.

Where is Coral bristlegrass native?

Coral bristlegrass (Setaria macrosperma) is native to FL, GA, SC, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

What pollinators does Coral bristlegrass attract?

Coral bristlegrass draws wind-pollinated.

Coral bristlegrass

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Setaria macrosperma

Last reviewed: October 2026

Coral bristlegrass (Setaria macrosperma) is a perennial grass native to FL, GA, SC. It blooms in August, September, and October. The flowers draw wind-pollinated.

Toxicity unknown

Coral bristlegrass (Setaria macrosperma) 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

part shade

Water

medium

Size

18"–48" H × 12"–24" W

Bloom

Aug, Sep, Oct

Native to

FL, GA, SC

Pollinators

wind-pollinated

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 458 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Picture natives in your own yard

Upload a photo of your yard and Patch Vision shows a rendering of it planted with natives for your region, like Coral bristlegrass.

Try it with your yard

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Southern Coastal Plain Southern Florida Coastal Plain

A woodland bristlegrass with broad, soft blades and an arching seed head with bristly spikelets in late summer and fall, growing in the dappled shade of moist hardwood forest floors.

Growing Coral bristlegrass

Grow Coral bristlegrass in part shade and medium water. Mature plants reach 18 to 48 inches tall and spread 12 to 24 inches wide.

Wildlife value

Its seed heads are an important food source for songbirds through fall and into winter.

Common questions

How much sun does Coral bristlegrass need?: Coral bristlegrass grows best in part shade conditions.
When does Coral bristlegrass bloom?: Coral bristlegrass blooms in August, September, and October.
Where is Coral bristlegrass native?: Coral bristlegrass (Setaria macrosperma) is native to FL, GA, SC, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What pollinators does Coral bristlegrass attract?: Coral bristlegrass draws wind-pollinated.

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

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

Add this plant to your garden

iPhone app Android app