What does Sea Arrow-grass look like when it blooms?

Sea Arrow-grass produces slender flowering spikes with small, densely packed greenish flowers that lack showy petals, blooming from May through September.

What kind of habitat does Sea Arrow-grass prefer?

It grows in wet, often saline or alkaline soils such as coastal salt marshes, brackish meadows and wet prairie edges, and it needs consistently moist to wet conditions to thrive.

How much sun does Sea Arrow-grass need?

It grows best in full sun, especially in open marshes and wet meadows where taller vegetation does not shade it out.

What pollinators visit Sea Arrow-grass flowers?

Bees, beetles and flies visit its small greenish flowers, drawn to the plant during its long summer bloom period from May through September.

Is Sea Arrow-grass a woody plant?

No, it is a herbaceous forb that dies back to the ground each year rather than developing woody stems.

Is Sea Arrow-grass HOA-friendly?

Sea Arrow-grass takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Sea Arrow-grass

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Triglochin maritima

Last reviewed: September 2026

Sea arrow-grass is a slender wetland forb that blooms from May through September in salt marshes, alkaline flats and wet meadows, attracting bees, beetles and flies.

Toxicity unknown

Sea Arrow-grass (Triglochin maritima) 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

high

Size

8"–24" H × 6"–12" W

Bloom

May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

AZ, CA, CO, CT and 28 more states

Pollinators

bees, beetles, flies

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Sea arrow-grass is a slender wetland perennial with narrow, grass-like leaves and small greenish flower spikes. This native plant thrives in consistently moist to wet soils and full sun conditions. It blooms from late spring through early fall with inconspicuous but long-lasting flowers.

Growing Sea Arrow-grass

Grow Sea Arrow-grass in full sun and high water. Mature plants reach 8 to 24 inches tall and spread 6 to 12 inches wide. Expect high maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Sea Arrow-grass 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 constantly wet soil conditions
Very grass-like appearance may look weedy
Inconspicuous flowers lack ornamental appeal

Wildlife value

The extended bloom period from May through September provides nectar for various pollinators including bees, beetles, and flies. Seeds may also provide food for wetland birds in appropriate habitats.

Common questions

What does Sea Arrow-grass look like when it blooms?: Sea Arrow-grass produces slender flowering spikes with small, densely packed greenish flowers that lack showy petals, blooming from May through September.
What kind of habitat does Sea Arrow-grass prefer?: It grows in wet, often saline or alkaline soils such as coastal salt marshes, brackish meadows and wet prairie edges, and it needs consistently moist to wet conditions to thrive.
How much sun does Sea Arrow-grass need?: It grows best in full sun, especially in open marshes and wet meadows where taller vegetation does not shade it out.
What pollinators visit Sea Arrow-grass flowers?: Bees, beetles and flies visit its small greenish flowers, drawn to the plant during its long summer bloom period from May through September.
Is Sea Arrow-grass a woody plant?: No, it is a herbaceous forb that dies back to the ground each year rather than developing woody stems.
Is Sea Arrow-grass HOA-friendly?: Sea Arrow-grass takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

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.

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Common plant problems, and what to check first

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