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Mudbabies

Echinodorus tenellus

Last reviewed: August 2026

Mudbabies (Echinodorus tenellus)
Photo: Uccio D'Agostino / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)

Toxicity unknown

Mudbabies (Echinodorus tenellus) 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

part sun

Water

high

Size

2"–6" H × 2"–6" W

Bloom

N/A

Native to

AL, AR, CT, FL 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 459 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

Western Gulf Coastal PlainSoutheastern PlainsSouthern Coastal Plain

Mudbabies is a tiny native grass that forms dense, low mats of bright green foliage. This diminutive plant stays under 6 inches tall and spreads slowly to create a carpet-like groundcover in consistently moist areas.

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In an HOA neighborhood

Mudbabies 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 consistently wet conditions that may create drainage concerns
  • Very small scale makes it appear weedy in formal landscapes
  • Name 'mudbabies' could raise HOA concerns

Wildlife value

While this plant provides habitat for small wetland creatures and insects, it has limited direct pollinator value due to inconspicuous flowers.

Common questions

How much sun does Mudbabies need?
Mudbabies grows best in part sun conditions.
Where is Mudbabies native?
Mudbabies (Echinodorus tenellus) is native to AL, AR, CT, FL and 15 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
Is Mudbabies HOA-friendly?
Mudbabies 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.

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

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