Seaside Threeawn
Aristida tuberculosa
Last reviewed: June 2026
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
12"–36" H × 4"–12" W
Bloom
Jul, Aug, Sep
Native to
AL, CT, DE, FL and 18 more states
Beach grass is a fine-textured annual prairie grass that forms narrow, upright clumps. It produces delicate seed heads in late summer and prefers sandy or well-drained soils in full sun locations.
In an HOA neighborhood
Seaside Threeawn 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.
- Annual growth means gaps and bare spots in landscape
- Fine texture and seed heads can appear weedy
- May self-seed unpredictably creating uneven coverage
Wildlife value
The seeds provide food for small birds and ground-feeding wildlife. As an annual grass, it offers temporary cover and nesting material for small creatures.
Native range data from the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
Does Seaside Threeawn fit your yard? Open it in Pollinator Patch to check it against your sun, soil, and HOA-conscious filters.