How much sun does Great Basin wildrye need?

Great Basin wildrye grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Great Basin wildrye bloom?

Great Basin wildrye blooms in June and July.

Where is Great Basin wildrye native?

Great Basin wildrye (Leymus cinereus) is native to AZ, CA, CO, ID and 10 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

Great Basin wildrye

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Leymus cinereus

Last reviewed: September 2026

Great Basin wildrye (Leymus cinereus) is a perennial grass native to AZ, CA, CO, ID and 10 more states. It blooms in June and July.

Toxicity unknown

Great Basin wildrye (Leymus cinereus) 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"–72" H × 24"–36" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul

Native to

AZ, CA, CO, ID and 10 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 458 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

Northwestern Forested Mountains Sierra Nevada Southern California Mountains North American Deserts Central Basin and Range Mojave Basin and Range Southern Rockies Arizona/New Mexico Mountains High Plains Northwestern Glaciated Plains Northwestern Great Plains

A large coarse bunchgrass with wide blue-gray blades and tall upright seed spikes in summer. Tolerates dry alkaline soils and provides substantial winter structure and screening.

Growing Great Basin wildrye

Grow Great Basin wildrye in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 36 to 72 inches tall and spread 24 to 36 inches wide.

Wildlife value

Seed heads feed birds through fall and winter, and the dense clumps offer nesting cover.

Common questions

How much sun does Great Basin wildrye need?: Great Basin wildrye grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Great Basin wildrye bloom?: Great Basin wildrye blooms in June and July.
Where is Great Basin wildrye native?: Great Basin wildrye (Leymus cinereus) is native to AZ, CA, CO, ID and 10 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

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 Great Basin wildrye? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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