How much sun does Mare's-tail need?

Mare's-tail grows best in part shade conditions.

When does Mare's-tail bloom?

Mare's-tail blooms in May, June, July, and August.

Where is Mare's-tail native?

Mare's-tail (Hippuris vulgaris) is native to AZ, CA, CO, IL and 19 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

Is Mare's-tail toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Mare's-tail as toxic to livestock.

Is Mare's-tail HOA-friendly?

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

Mare's-tail

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Hippuris vulgaris

Last reviewed: August 2026

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Mare's-tail as toxic to livestock.

Light

part shade

Water

high

Size

4"–24" H × 4"–12" W

Bloom

May, Jun, Jul, Aug

Native to

AZ, CA, CO, IL and 19 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 432 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

Coast Range Puget Lowland Marine West Coast Forest Northwestern Forested Mountains Sierra Nevada North American Deserts Central Basin and Range Southern Rockies Arizona/New Mexico Mountains High Plains Northwestern Glaciated Plains Northern Glaciated Plains Great Plains Northern Forests Northern Lakes and Forests North Central Hardwood Forests Southeastern Wisconsin Till Plains

Mare's-tail is an aquatic or semi-aquatic perennial that forms upright stems with narrow, needle-like leaves arranged in whorls. It thrives in wet conditions like pond edges, marshes, or consistently moist soil areas. This plant produces tiny, inconspicuous flowers along the stems during summer months.

In an HOA neighborhood

Mare's-tail takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: high. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Requires boggy conditions unsuitable for most residential landscapes
Can appear wild and unmanicured
May spread aggressively in wet areas

Wildlife value

Mare's-tail provides habitat for aquatic insects and small wildlife in wet areas. Its dense growth offers cover for amphibians and nesting material for waterfowl in suitable wetland settings.

Common questions

How much sun does Mare's-tail need?: Mare's-tail grows best in part shade conditions.
When does Mare's-tail bloom?: Mare's-tail blooms in May, June, July, and August.
Where is Mare's-tail native?: Mare's-tail (Hippuris vulgaris) is native to AZ, CA, CO, IL and 19 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
Is Mare's-tail toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Mare's-tail as toxic to livestock.
Is Mare's-tail HOA-friendly?: Mare's-tail 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 World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

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