How much sun does Hair Sedge need?

Hair Sedge grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Hair Sedge bloom?

Hair Sedge blooms in June, July, and August.

Where is Hair Sedge native?

Hair Sedge (Carex capillaris) is native to CA, CO, ID, ME and 15 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.

Is Hair Sedge toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Hair Sedge as toxic to livestock.

Is Hair Sedge HOA-friendly?

Hair Sedge takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Hair Sedge

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Carex capillaris

Last reviewed: August 2026

Toxicity unknown

Hair Sedge (Carex capillaris) 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 Hair Sedge as toxic to livestock.

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

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 area

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Northwestern Forested Mountains North American Deserts Southern Rockies Great Plains Northern Forests Northern Lakes and Forests North Central Hardwood Forests Northeastern Highlands Acadian Plains and Hills

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.

Common questions

How much sun does Hair Sedge need?: Hair Sedge grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Hair Sedge bloom?: Hair Sedge blooms in June, July, and August.
Where is Hair Sedge native?: Hair Sedge (Carex capillaris) is native to CA, CO, ID, ME and 15 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
Is Hair Sedge toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Hair Sedge as toxic to livestock.
Is Hair Sedge HOA-friendly?: Hair Sedge takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. 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 Hair Sedge? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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