Santa barbara sedge
Carex barbarae
Last reviewed: September 2026
Santa barbara sedge (Carex barbarae) is a perennial grass native to CA, OR. It blooms in April and May.
Toxicity unknown
Santa barbara sedge (Carex barbarae) 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
18"–36" H × 24"–48" W
Bloom
Apr, May
Native to
CA, OR
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 458 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
A rhizomatous, grass-like sedge with narrow, arching, gray-green leaves that spreads to form dense colonies along streambanks and floodplains. Long valued for its tough, pliable roots used in traditional basketry.
Growing Santa barbara sedge
Grow Santa barbara sedge in part sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 18 to 36 inches tall and spread 24 to 48 inches wide.
Wildlife value
The dense root mats stabilize streambanks and the foliage provides cover for small birds and amphibians near water.
Common questions
- How much sun does Santa barbara sedge need?
- Santa barbara sedge grows best in part sun conditions.
- When does Santa barbara sedge bloom?
- Santa barbara sedge blooms in April and May.
- Where is Santa barbara sedge native?
- Santa barbara sedge (Carex barbarae) is native to CA, OR, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
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 Santa barbara sedge? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.