Ditch Rabbitsfoot Grass
Polypogon interruptus
Last reviewed: June 2026
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
Browse plants for this ecoregion
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.
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.
Does Ditch Rabbitsfoot Grass fit your yard? Open it in Pollinator Patch to check it against your sun, soil, and HOA-conscious filters.