How much sun does Giant needlegrass need?

Giant needlegrass grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Giant needlegrass bloom?

Giant needlegrass blooms in April and May.

Where is Giant needlegrass native?

Giant needlegrass (Stipa coronata) is native to CA, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

What pollinators does Giant needlegrass attract?

Giant needlegrass draws wind pollinated.

Giant needlegrass

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Stipa coronata

Last reviewed: November 2026

Giant needlegrass (Stipa coronata) is a perennial grass native to CA. It blooms in April and May. The flowers draw wind pollinated.

Watering reminders and freeze alerts for Giant needlegrass, free in the app.

Toxicity unknown

Giant needlegrass (Stipa coronata) 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

36"–60" H × 24"–36" W

Bloom

Apr, May

Native to

Pollinators

wind pollinated

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 461 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

Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Southern California Mountains Sonoran Basin and Range Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

Giant needlegrass is a coarse, clumping evergreen bunchgrass with tall, arching flower stalks that carry sharp-pointed seeds in spring. It grows in open grassland and chaparral.

Growing Giant needlegrass

Grow Giant needlegrass in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 36 to 60 inches tall and spread 24 to 36 inches wide.

Wildlife value

As a wind-pollinated grass it offers little directly to pollinators, but its dense bunch form provides nesting material and cover for ground-dwelling birds and insects.

Common questions

How much sun does Giant needlegrass need?: Giant needlegrass grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Giant needlegrass bloom?: Giant needlegrass blooms in April and May.
Where is Giant needlegrass native?: Giant needlegrass (Stipa coronata) is native to CA, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What pollinators does Giant needlegrass attract?: Giant needlegrass draws wind pollinated.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). 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

Ready to grow Giant needlegrass? Add it to your garden in the Pollinator Patch App to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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