Northern Bent
Agrostis mertensii
Last reviewed: August 2026
Toxicity unknown
Northern Bent (Agrostis mertensii) 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
medium
Size
8"–24" H × 4"–12" W
Bloom
Jun, Jul, Aug
Native to
CO, ME, MT, NC and 10 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 areaBrowse plants for this ecoregion
Northern bent is a fine-textured native grass that forms compact clumps with delicate, airy flower heads in summer. This cool-season perennial stays relatively low and maintains a tidy appearance throughout the growing season.
In an HOA neighborhood
Northern Bent 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
The flowers and seeds provide food for small birds and native insects, though it's not a major pollinator plant.
Common questions
- How much sun does Northern Bent need?
- Northern Bent grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Northern Bent bloom?
- Northern Bent blooms in June, July, and August.
- Where is Northern Bent native?
- Northern Bent (Agrostis mertensii) is native to CO, ME, MT, NC and 10 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
- Is Northern Bent HOA-friendly?
- Northern Bent is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.
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.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Northern Bent? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
Planning a bed around it? Start a free plan with this plant
Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz