San Diego sedge
Carex spissa
Last reviewed: September 2026
San Diego sedge (Carex spissa) is a perennial grass native to CA. It blooms in April, May, and June.
Toxicity unknown
San Diego sedge (Carex spissa) 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
medium
Size
36"–60" H × 36"–48" W
Bloom
Apr, May, Jun
Native to
CA
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 460 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
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A large, clump-forming sedge with broad, arching blue-green leaves that stay upright and evergreen year-round. It grows along streambanks and in seasonally wet drainages, giving structure to a garden all year.
Growing San Diego sedge
Grow San Diego sedge in part sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 36 to 60 inches tall and spread 36 to 48 inches wide.
Wildlife value
Provides cover and nesting material for birds and small wildlife near water features.
Common questions
- How much sun does San Diego sedge need?
- San Diego sedge grows best in part sun conditions.
- When does San Diego sedge bloom?
- San Diego sedge blooms in April, May, and June.
- Where is San Diego sedge native?
- San Diego sedge (Carex spissa) is native to CA, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. 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 San Diego sedge? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.