How much sun does Ditch Rabbitsfoot Grass need?

Ditch Rabbitsfoot Grass grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Ditch Rabbitsfoot Grass bloom?

Ditch Rabbitsfoot Grass blooms in May, June, and July.

Where is Ditch Rabbitsfoot Grass native?

Ditch Rabbitsfoot Grass (Polypogon interruptus) is native to AZ, CA, CO, LA and 11 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.

Is Ditch Rabbitsfoot Grass HOA-friendly?

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

Ditch Rabbitsfoot Grass

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Polypogon interruptus

Last reviewed: August 2026

Toxicity unknown

Ditch Rabbitsfoot Grass (Polypogon interruptus) 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

full sun

Water

medium

Size

8"–24" H × 4"–12" W

Bloom

May, Jun, Jul

Native to

AZ, CA, CO, LA and 11 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 445 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Marine West Coast Forest Sierra Nevada Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Central California Valley Southern California Mountains Northwestern Forested Mountains Central Basin and Range Mojave Basin and Range North American Deserts Arizona/New Mexico Mountains Madrean Archipelago Sonoran Basin and Range Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

Ditch rabbitsfoot grass is a small annual grass that forms compact clumps 8-24 inches tall. It produces fuzzy, cylindrical flower spikes from May through July that give it a soft, cottony appearance. This grass naturally grows in moist areas and ditches.

In an HOA neighborhood

Ditch Rabbitsfoot 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.

Name includes 'ditch' which suggests weedy appearance
Annual lifecycle means it dies back completely each year
Can appear messy and unkempt in maintained landscapes

Wildlife value

As an annual grass, it provides some habitat structure for small wildlife and insects. The seeds may be eaten by birds, though it's not considered a major wildlife plant.

Common questions

How much sun does Ditch Rabbitsfoot Grass need?: Ditch Rabbitsfoot Grass grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Ditch Rabbitsfoot Grass bloom?: Ditch Rabbitsfoot Grass blooms in May, June, and July.
Where is Ditch Rabbitsfoot Grass native?: Ditch Rabbitsfoot Grass (Polypogon interruptus) is native to AZ, CA, CO, LA and 11 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
Is Ditch Rabbitsfoot Grass HOA-friendly?: Ditch Rabbitsfoot 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 vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

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

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