Longhair Sedge
Carex comosa
Last reviewed: June 2026
Carex comosa (Longhair Sedge) is a native wetland grass found across 25 US states from California to Maine. This moisture-loving sedge blooms from May through August in marshes and wet prairies.
The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Longhair Sedge as toxic to livestock.
Light
part sun
Water
high
Size
12"–48" H × 12"–24" W
Bloom
May, Jun, Jul, Aug
Native to
AL, AR, CA, CT and 21 more states
Browse plants for this ecoregion
Longhair sedge is a tall native grass that thrives in wet conditions and partial sun. It forms clumps of arching green foliage and produces distinctive bristly seed heads from late spring through summer. This sedge works well in rain gardens, pond edges, or any area with consistent moisture.
Growing Longhair Sedge
Grow Longhair Sedge in part sun and high water. Mature plants reach 12 to 48 inches tall and spread 12 to 24 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Longhair 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.
- Very tall and can appear unkempt
- Spreads aggressively to form colonies
- Deciduous foliage looks messy in winter
Wildlife value
This sedge provides nesting material and cover for birds, while its seeds feed waterfowl and songbirds. The dense clumps offer shelter for small wildlife in wet garden areas.
Common questions
- Where does Carex comosa naturally grow?
- Longhair Sedge is native to 25 states across the United States, including much of the eastern seaboard from Maine to South Carolina, the Great Lakes region, and extending west to California, Idaho, and Texas.
- What growing conditions does Longhair Sedge prefer?
- This sedge thrives in consistently moist to wet soils and can tolerate full sun to partial shade. It naturally occurs in marshes, wet prairies, and along stream banks where water levels remain high.
- When does Carex comosa bloom?
- Longhair Sedge produces its flowering structures from May through August, with peak blooming typically occurring in early to mid-summer.
- How tall does Longhair Sedge grow?
- Carex comosa typically reaches 2 to 4 feet in height, forming dense clumps that can spread slowly through rhizomes in suitable wetland conditions.
- Is Longhair Sedge toxic to livestock?
- The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Longhair Sedge as toxic to livestock.
- Is Longhair Sedge HOA-friendly?
- Longhair 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 the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
Ready to grow Longhair Sedge? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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