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Lace Grass

Eragrostis capillaris

Last reviewed: September 2026

Lace Grass (Eragrostis capillaris)
Photo: no rights reserved

Toxicity unknown

Lace Grass (Eragrostis 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.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

12"–24" H × 6"–12" W

Bloom

Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

AL, AR, CT, DE and 30 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

Chihuahuan DesertsCentral Great PlainsGreat PlainsCross TimbersEdwards PlateauTexas Blackland PrairiesEast Central Texas PlainsWestern Gulf Coastal PlainSouth Central PlainsEastern Temperate ForestsOzark HighlandsCentral Irregular PlainsPiedmontWestern Corn Belt PlainsNorth Central Hardwood ForestsDriftless AreaSoutheastern Wisconsin Till PlainsCentral Corn Belt PlainsEastern Corn Belt PlainsNortheastern HighlandsNortheastern Coastal ZoneNorthern Allegheny PlateauNorthern ForestsMiddle Atlantic Coastal PlainNorthern PiedmontSoutheastern PlainsBlue RidgeRidge and ValleyCentral AppalachiansWestern Allegheny PlateauInterior PlateauInterior River Valleys and HillsSouthern Coastal PlainEastern Great Lakes LowlandsAtlantic Coastal Pine Barrens

Lacegrass is a delicate native grass that forms small clumps with fine, thread-like leaves. It produces airy, cloud-like seed heads from summer through early fall that give it an ethereal appearance in the landscape.

In an HOA neighborhood

Lace Grass 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.

  • Very fine texture can appear weedy or unkempt
  • Seed heads may look messy to traditional landscaping preferences
  • Small size makes it less visually impactful in formal settings

Wildlife value

The seeds provide food for various songbirds and small mammals. As a native grass, it also supports native insects and contributes to local ecosystem health.

Common questions

How much sun does Lace Grass need?
Lace Grass grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Lace Grass bloom?
Lace Grass blooms in July, August, and September.
Where is Lace Grass native?
Lace Grass (Eragrostis capillaris) is native to AL, AR, CT, DE and 30 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
Is Lace Grass HOA-friendly?
Lace Grass 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 Lace Grass? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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