Hair Sedge
Carex capillaris
Last reviewed: June 2026
Light
full sun
Water
medium
Size
4"–12" H × 4"–12" W
Bloom
Jun, Jul, Aug
Native to
CA, CO, ID, ME and 15 more states
Hair sedge is a delicate native grass that forms small, neat clumps with fine-textured foliage. This compact sedge produces subtle flower spikes in summer and maintains a tidy appearance throughout the growing season.
In an HOA neighborhood
Hair Sedge takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- Extremely small size makes it appear sparse or incomplete
- Fine texture may look weedy or unkempt to traditional landscaping expectations
- Limited visual impact for front yard applications
Wildlife value
This sedge provides habitat and nesting material for small birds and supports various native insects. The seeds offer food for songbirds and small mammals in late summer and fall.
Native range data from the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
Does Hair Sedge fit your yard? Open it in Pollinator Patch to check it against your sun, soil, and HOA-conscious filters.