How much sun does Dune Sandbur need?

Dune Sandbur grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Dune Sandbur bloom?

Dune Sandbur blooms in July, August, and September.

Where is Dune Sandbur native?

Dune Sandbur (Cenchrus tribuloides) is native to AL, DE, FL, GA and 12 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.

Is Dune Sandbur HOA-friendly?

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

Dune Sandbur

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Cenchrus tribuloides

Last reviewed: September 2026

Toxicity unknown

Dune Sandbur (Cenchrus tribuloides) 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

low

Size

8"–24" H × 6"–18" W

Bloom

Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

AL, DE, FL, GA and 12 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 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Northeastern Coastal Zone Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain Northern Piedmont Southeastern Plains Southern Coastal Plain Atlantic Coastal Pine Barrens

Dune sandbur is a native annual grass that forms low clumps in sandy coastal areas. It produces spiny seed heads from summer through fall that can stick to clothing and pet fur.

In an HOA neighborhood

Dune Sandbur 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.

Produces painful spiny burrs that stick to clothing and pets
Appears weedy and unkempt
Annual growth creates gaps and bare spots

Wildlife value

This grass provides habitat for some specialized insects and small wildlife in coastal dune ecosystems.

Common questions

How much sun does Dune Sandbur need?: Dune Sandbur grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Dune Sandbur bloom?: Dune Sandbur blooms in July, August, and September.
Where is Dune Sandbur native?: Dune Sandbur (Cenchrus tribuloides) is native to AL, DE, FL, GA and 12 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
Is Dune Sandbur HOA-friendly?: Dune Sandbur 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.

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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