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Eastern Star Sedge

Carex radiata

Last reviewed: August 2026

Carex radiata (Eastern Star Sedge) is a native sedge found across eastern and central United States, blooming from March through May in partial shade to shaded woodland areas.

Eastern Star Sedge (Carex radiata)
Photo: Daderot / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)

Toxicity unknown

Eastern Star Sedge (Carex radiata) 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

part shade

Water

medium

Size

8"–18" H × 6"–12" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr, May

Native to

AL, AR, CT, DE and 29 more states

Deer

Resistant (per Prairie Moon Nursery)

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.

Find rebates in your area

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Ozark HighlandsCentral Irregular PlainsPiedmontWestern Corn Belt PlainsGreat PlainsNorthern ForestsNorthern Lakes and ForestsNorth Central Hardwood ForestsDriftless AreaSoutheastern Wisconsin Till PlainsCentral Corn Belt PlainsEastern Corn Belt PlainsSouthern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift PlainsHuron/Erie Lake PlainsNortheastern HighlandsNortheastern Coastal ZoneNorthern Allegheny PlateauErie Drift PlainMiddle Atlantic Coastal PlainNorthern PiedmontSoutheastern PlainsBlue RidgeRidge and ValleyCentral AppalachiansWestern Allegheny PlateauInterior PlateauInterior River Valleys and HillsMississippi Alluvial PlainAcadian Plains and HillsEastern Great Lakes Lowlands

Eastern star sedge is a native clumping sedge that forms neat, low mounds of narrow green foliage. It produces small, inconspicuous flowers in spring and grows well in partial shade with average moisture.

Growing Eastern Star Sedge

Grow Eastern Star Sedge in part shade and medium water. Mature plants reach 8 to 18 inches tall and spread 6 to 12 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Eastern Star Sedge is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.

Works well in: front yard, foundation, street edge, mid zone.

  • May look sparse when first establishing

Wildlife value

This sedge provides cover and nesting material for small wildlife. As a native grass-like plant, it offers food for seed-eating birds and habitat for beneficial insects.

Common questions

Where is Carex radiata naturally found?
Eastern Star Sedge is native to a wide range of states from Maine to Alabama and west to North Dakota, Kansas, and Louisiana, typically growing in woodland understories.
When does Eastern Star Sedge bloom?
Carex radiata produces flowers from March through May, with timing varying by latitude and local climate conditions.
What growing conditions does Carex radiata prefer?
This sedge thrives in partial shade to full shade with medium moisture levels, making it well-suited for woodland gardens and naturalized areas.
Is Eastern Star Sedge HOA-friendly?
Eastern Star Sedge is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

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 Eastern Star Sedge? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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