How tall does smooth cordgrass get?

Spartina alterniflora typically grows 3 to 7 feet tall, with taller stands found along creek banks where tidal flooding is more frequent.

What growing conditions does Spartina alterniflora need?

This grass needs full sun and consistently wet, high water conditions, making it well suited to tidal salt marshes and brackish shorelines.

When does smooth cordgrass bloom?

Smooth cordgrass produces its inconspicuous flower spikes from March through May.

What pollinators visit Spartina alterniflora?

Butterflies and moths have been observed visiting smooth cordgrass, though as a grass it also relies heavily on wind for pollination.

Is Smooth Cordgrass toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Smooth Cordgrass as toxic to livestock.

Is Smooth Cordgrass HOA-friendly?

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

Smooth Cordgrass

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Spartina alterniflora

Last reviewed: August 2026

Spartina alterniflora, or smooth cordgrass, grows in full sun along tidal salt marshes from the Gulf Coast through New England, blooming from March to May in flooded, brackish water.

Toxicity unknown

Smooth Cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) 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.

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Smooth Cordgrass as toxic to livestock.

Light

full sun

Water

high

Size

36"–60" H × 24"–36" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr, May

Native to

AL, CT, DE, FL and 14 more states

Pollinators

butterflies, moths

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.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Western Gulf Coastal Plain Northeastern Coastal Zone Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain Northern Piedmont Southeastern Plains Mississippi Alluvial Plain Southern Coastal Plain Southern Florida Coastal Plain Acadian Plains and Hills Atlantic Coastal Pine Barrens

Smooth Cordgrass is a tall, clumping perennial grass that forms dense stands in wet conditions. This salt-tolerant grass produces feathery flower spikes in spring and thrives in consistently moist to wet soils.

Growing Smooth Cordgrass

Grow Smooth Cordgrass in full sun and high water. Mature plants reach 36 to 60 inches tall and spread 24 to 36 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Smooth Cordgrass 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.

Insufficient data for HOA assessment

Wildlife value

The flowers attract butterflies and moths during spring blooming season. The dense growth provides nesting habitat for birds in wetland areas.

Common questions

How tall does smooth cordgrass get?: Spartina alterniflora typically grows 3 to 7 feet tall, with taller stands found along creek banks where tidal flooding is more frequent.
What growing conditions does Spartina alterniflora need?: This grass needs full sun and consistently wet, high water conditions, making it well suited to tidal salt marshes and brackish shorelines.
When does smooth cordgrass bloom?: Smooth cordgrass produces its inconspicuous flower spikes from March through May.
What pollinators visit Spartina alterniflora?: Butterflies and moths have been observed visiting smooth cordgrass, though as a grass it also relies heavily on wind for pollination.
Is Smooth Cordgrass toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Smooth Cordgrass as toxic to livestock.
Is Smooth Cordgrass HOA-friendly?: Smooth Cordgrass 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 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.

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