How much sun does Dallisgrass need?

Dallisgrass grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Dallisgrass bloom?

Dallisgrass blooms in May, June, July, August, and September.

Is Dallisgrass toxic to livestock?

Dallisgrass is listed as toxic to grazing livestock such as cattle, sheep, and goats (slight severity) by the USDA PLANTS Database. This is separate from pet (dog and cat) toxicity.

Is Dallisgrass HOA-friendly?

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

Dallisgrass

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Paspalum dilatatum

Last reviewed: August 2026

Toxicity unknown

Dallisgrass (Paspalum dilatatum) 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.

Dallisgrass is listed as toxic to grazing livestock (cattle, sheep, and goats) at a slight level by the USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab). This is a livestock indicator and is separate from pet toxicity.

Light

full sun

Water

medium

Size

24"–48" H × 12"–36" W

Bloom

May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Native alternatives to Dallisgrass

Dallisgrass 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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Dallisgrass is a robust perennial grass that forms dense clumps with coarse-textured foliage reaching 2-4 feet tall. It produces seed heads on tall stems from late spring through fall and maintains its green color year-round.

In an HOA neighborhood

Dallisgrass 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.

Considered a weedy species that can spread aggressively
Coarse appearance looks unkempt compared to typical lawn grasses
Can become invasive and difficult to control

Wildlife value

This grass provides seed for birds and nesting material, though it has limited appeal to pollinators since grasses are wind-pollinated.

Common questions

How much sun does Dallisgrass need?: Dallisgrass grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Dallisgrass bloom?: Dallisgrass blooms in May, June, July, August, and September.
Is Dallisgrass toxic to livestock?: Dallisgrass is listed as toxic to grazing livestock such as cattle, sheep, and goats (slight severity) by the USDA PLANTS Database. This is separate from pet (dog and cat) toxicity.
Is Dallisgrass HOA-friendly?: Dallisgrass 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

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