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Northern Glyceria

Glyceria septentrionalis

Last reviewed: August 2026

Northern Glyceria (Glyceria septentrionalis)
Photo: Summit Metro Parks - Robert Curtis / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)

Toxicity unknown

Northern Glyceria (Glyceria septentrionalis) 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

24"–48" H × 12"–24" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul, Aug

Native to

AL, AR, CT, DE and 29 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

Ozark HighlandsCentral Irregular PlainsPiedmontWestern Corn Belt PlainsNorthern Lakes and ForestsSoutheastern Wisconsin Till PlainsCentral Corn Belt PlainsEastern Corn Belt PlainsSouthern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift PlainsHuron/Erie Lake PlainsNortheastern HighlandsNortheastern Coastal ZoneNorthern Allegheny PlateauErie Drift PlainNorthern ForestsMiddle Atlantic Coastal PlainNorthern PiedmontSoutheastern PlainsRidge and ValleyCentral AppalachiansWestern Allegheny PlateauInterior PlateauInterior River Valleys and HillsMississippi Alluvial PlainSouthern Coastal PlainEastern Great Lakes LowlandsAtlantic Coastal Pine Barrens

Northern glyceria is a tall native grass that thrives in wet soils and partial sun conditions. This perennial forms clumps 2-4 feet tall and produces delicate flower spikes during summer months. It naturally occurs in marshes, wet meadows, and along stream banks across its native wetland habitats.

In an HOA neighborhood

Northern Glyceria 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.

  • Tall wetland appearance looks too wild for most front yards
  • Requires consistently wet soil which may appear swampy
  • Can spread aggressively in ideal conditions

Wildlife value

This grass provides important habitat and nesting material for wetland birds and small mammals. The seeds serve as food for waterfowl and songbirds in late summer and fall.

Common questions

How much sun does Northern Glyceria need?
Northern Glyceria grows best in part sun conditions.
When does Northern Glyceria bloom?
Northern Glyceria blooms in June, July, and August.
Where is Northern Glyceria native?
Northern Glyceria (Glyceria septentrionalis) is native to AL, AR, CT, DE and 29 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
Is Northern Glyceria HOA-friendly?
Northern Glyceria 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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