Foxtail Bristle-grass
Setaria italica
Last reviewed: September 2026
Foxtail Bristle-grass (Setaria italica) is a annual grass. It blooms in June, July, and August.
Toxicity unknown
Foxtail Bristle-grass (Setaria italica) 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.
The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Foxtail Bristle-grass as toxic to livestock.
Light
full sun
Water
medium
Size
24"–48" H × 12"–24" W
Bloom
Jun, Jul, Aug
Native alternatives to Foxtail Bristle-grass
Foxtail Bristle-grass 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
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 areaFoxtail bristle-grass is an annual grass that grows 2-4 feet tall with distinctive bottlebrush-like seed heads that appear in summer. This fast-growing grass forms upright clumps and is often used for wildlife habitat and erosion control.
Growing Foxtail Bristle-grass
Grow Foxtail Bristle-grass in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 24 to 48 inches tall and spread 12 to 24 inches wide. Expect moderate maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Foxtail Bristle-grass takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: moderate. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- Common name includes 'bristle-grass' which sounds weedy to HOAs
- Annual growth habit means gaps in plantings
- Seed heads can appear unkempt as they mature and disperse
Wildlife value
The seed heads provide food for birds, particularly finches and sparrows. As a grass species, it offers nesting material and shelter for small wildlife.
Common questions
- When does Setaria italica bloom?
- Foxtail Bristle-grass blooms during the summer months of June, July, and August.
- What growing conditions does Foxtail Bristle-grass prefer?
- This native grass thrives in full sun locations with medium moisture levels and is adaptable across diverse climates.
- Where is Setaria italica native in the United States?
- Foxtail Bristle-grass is native to most US states, from Alabama and Florida in the southeast to Washington and California in the west, and from Maine to Wyoming across northern regions.
- Is Foxtail Bristle-grass toxic to livestock?
- The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Foxtail Bristle-grass as toxic to livestock.
- Is Foxtail Bristle-grass HOA-friendly?
- Foxtail Bristle-grass takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.
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.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Foxtail Bristle-grass? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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