Grass-leaf Gayfeather
Liatris pilosa
Last reviewed: September 2026
Grass-leaf gayfeather is a slender perennial forb with narrow leaves and pink-purple flower spikes blooming July through September, well suited to dry, sandy, sunny sites in the mid-Atlantic coastal plain.
Toxicity unknown
Grass-leaf Gayfeather (Liatris pilosa) 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 Grass-leaf Gayfeather as toxic to livestock.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
12"–36" H × 6"–18" W
Bloom
Jul, Aug, Sep
Native to
DE, MD, NC, NJ and 3 more states
Pollinators
bees, butterflies, moths
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
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Grass-leaf gayfeather is a native perennial with thin, grass-like foliage and tall spikes of purple flowers that bloom from top to bottom in summer. This drought-tolerant wildflower forms neat clumps and requires minimal care once established. The flowers attract numerous pollinators and the plant goes dormant in winter.
Growing Grass-leaf Gayfeather
Grow Grass-leaf Gayfeather in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 12 to 36 inches tall and spread 6 to 18 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Grass-leaf Gayfeather is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.
Works well in: front yard, foundation, street edge, mid zone.
- Goes completely dormant in winter
Wildlife value
Excellent pollinator plant that attracts bees, butterflies, and moths during its long summer bloom period. The seeds also provide food for birds in fall.
Common questions
- When does grass-leaf gayfeather bloom?
- It flowers from July through September, sending up wandy spikes of small pink-purple blossoms.
- What growing conditions suit grass-leaf gayfeather best?
- It grows best in full sun to part sun with low water needs, thriving in dry, well-drained sandy soils rather than heavy or consistently moist ground.
- What pollinators visit grass-leaf gayfeather?
- Bees, butterflies, and moths visit the flower spikes for nectar during the summer and early fall bloom period.
- What kind of plant is grass-leaf gayfeather?
- It is a herbaceous perennial forb with narrow, grass-like foliage and upright stems topped with clustered flower heads.
- Is Grass-leaf Gayfeather toxic to livestock?
- The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Grass-leaf Gayfeather as toxic to livestock.
- Is Grass-leaf Gayfeather HOA-friendly?
- Grass-leaf Gayfeather 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 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.
- 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 Grass-leaf Gayfeather? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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