When does hairy woollygrass bloom?

Hairy woollygrass typically produces its inconspicuous flower spikes from May through September, with growth peaking during the warm summer months.

How much water does hairy woollygrass need?

This grass is adapted to low-water conditions and does best in well-drained, dry soils. It should not be watered heavily or planted in areas that stay wet.

What kind of light does hairy woollygrass need?

Hairy woollygrass grows best in full sun and can tolerate light afternoon shade, but it will become sparse and weak in heavily shaded sites.

Does hairy woollygrass stay green year round?

No. As a warm-season grass, it greens up in spring, grows actively through summer, and turns brown and dormant with cooler fall and winter temperatures.

Is Hairy woollygrass HOA-friendly?

Hairy woollygrass is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.

Hairy woollygrass

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Erioneuron pilosum

Last reviewed: August 2026

Hairy woollygrass is a low-growing warm-season bunchgrass that thrives in full sun on dry, rocky or sandy soils across the southwestern and central plains, blooming from May through September.

Toxicity unknown

Hairy woollygrass (Erioneuron pilosum) 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

4"–10" H × 6"–12" W

Bloom

May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

AZ, CA, CO, KS and 5 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 449 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 Basin and Range Mojave Basin and Range North American Deserts Southern Rockies Arizona/New Mexico Mountains Chihuahuan Deserts High Plains Southwestern Tablelands Central Great Plains Cross Timbers Edwards Plateau Southern Texas Plains Texas Blackland Prairies Western Gulf Coastal Plain

A low-growing, tufted perennial bunchgrass with fine, curly, hair-fringed blue-green blades that form small tight mounds. Produces short, inconspicuous seed heads sporadically after rain. Extremely drought tolerant, thriving in rocky, gravelly, well-drained soil in full sun with minimal water.

Growing Hairy woollygrass

Grow Hairy woollygrass in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 4 to 10 inches tall and spread 6 to 12 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Hairy woollygrass is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.

Works well in: front yard, foundation, street edge, mid zone.

Wildlife value

Compact tufts provide cover for small insects and ground-foraging birds, and the fine seed is eaten by seed-eating birds.

Common questions

When does hairy woollygrass bloom?: Hairy woollygrass typically produces its inconspicuous flower spikes from May through September, with growth peaking during the warm summer months.
How much water does hairy woollygrass need?: This grass is adapted to low-water conditions and does best in well-drained, dry soils. It should not be watered heavily or planted in areas that stay wet.
What kind of light does hairy woollygrass need?: Hairy woollygrass grows best in full sun and can tolerate light afternoon shade, but it will become sparse and weak in heavily shaded sites.
Does hairy woollygrass stay green year round?: No. As a warm-season grass, it greens up in spring, grows actively through summer, and turns brown and dormant with cooler fall and winter temperatures.
Is Hairy woollygrass HOA-friendly?: Hairy woollygrass 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.

Ready to grow Hairy woollygrass? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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