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Crested Wheatgrass

Agropyron cristatum

Last reviewed: October 2026

Crested Wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum)
Photo: Loren St. John. USDA NRCS Aberdeen PMC. Ephraim. United States / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

Toxicity unknown

Crested Wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum) 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 Crested Wheatgrass as toxic to livestock.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

12"–24" H × 12"–24" W

Bloom

May, Jun

Native alternatives to Crested Wheatgrass

Crested Wheatgrass is not native to the United States. These natives fill a similar role in a planting, matched on bloom season, bloom color and mature size.

Before you buy

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Wondering what could grow where Crested Wheatgrass is now? Upload a photo of the spot and Patch Vision shows a rendering of it replanted with natives for your region.

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Crested wheatgrass is a cool-season bunch grass that forms dense, upright clumps with blue-green foliage. It produces distinctive wheat-like seed heads in late spring and early summer. This drought-tolerant grass maintains its color well through most of the growing season.

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In an HOA neighborhood

Crested Wheatgrass 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: front yard, foundation, street edge, mid zone.

  • Seed heads may look too agricultural for some formal settings

Wildlife value

Primarily provides seed for birds and small mammals rather than supporting pollinators. The dense growth offers nesting habitat and cover for ground-dwelling wildlife.

Common questions

How much sun does Crested Wheatgrass need?
Crested Wheatgrass grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Crested Wheatgrass bloom?
Crested Wheatgrass blooms in May and June.
Is Crested Wheatgrass toxic to livestock?
The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Crested Wheatgrass as toxic to livestock.
Is Crested Wheatgrass HOA-friendly?
Crested Wheatgrass takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

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 Crested Wheatgrass? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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