How much water does Spiked Muhly need?

Once it is established, Spiked Muhly gets by on low water and handles dry to lightly moist soil without extra irrigation.

When does Spiked Muhly bloom?

It sends up slender, spike-like flower clusters from August into October.

What pollinators visit Spiked Muhly?

Bees are commonly seen working the small flowers of Spiked Muhly during its late summer bloom period.

How much sun does Spiked Muhly need to grow well?

Spiked Muhly performs best in full sun, where its upright clumping form and flower spikes develop fully.

Is Spiked Muhly toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Spiked Muhly as toxic to livestock.

Is Spiked Muhly HOA-friendly?

Spiked Muhly is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.

Spiked Muhly

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Muhlenbergia glomerata

Last reviewed: September 2026

Spiked Muhly is a clump forming grass that grows well in full sun with low water needs, sending up narrow flower spikes from August through October.

Toxicity unknown

Spiked Muhly (Muhlenbergia glomerata) 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 Spiked Muhly as toxic to livestock.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

24"–48" H × 12"–24" W

Bloom

Aug, Sep, Oct

Native to

CO, CT, IA, ID and 27 more states

Pollinators

bees

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

Great Plains Western Corn Belt Plains Northern Forests Northern Lakes and Forests North Central Hardwood Forests Driftless Area Southeastern Wisconsin Till Plains Central Corn Belt Plains Eastern Corn Belt Plains Southern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift Plains Northeastern Highlands Northeastern Coastal Zone Northern Allegheny Plateau Erie Drift Plain Northern Piedmont Ridge and Valley Acadian Plains and Hills Eastern Great Lakes Lowlands

Spiked muhly is a native bunch grass that forms neat, upright clumps with fine-textured foliage. It produces attractive seed heads in late summer and fall that add movement and texture to the landscape.

Growing Spiked Muhly

Grow Spiked Muhly in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 24 to 48 inches tall and spread 12 to 24 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Spiked Muhly is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.

Works well in: front yard, foundation, street edge, mid zone.

May look sparse in winter dormancy

Wildlife value

This grass provides nectar for bees during its late-season bloom period. The seeds also support various songbirds through fall and winter.

Common questions

How much water does Spiked Muhly need?: Once it is established, Spiked Muhly gets by on low water and handles dry to lightly moist soil without extra irrigation.
When does Spiked Muhly bloom?: It sends up slender, spike-like flower clusters from August into October.
What pollinators visit Spiked Muhly?: Bees are commonly seen working the small flowers of Spiked Muhly during its late summer bloom period.
How much sun does Spiked Muhly need to grow well?: Spiked Muhly performs best in full sun, where its upright clumping form and flower spikes develop fully.
Is Spiked Muhly toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Spiked Muhly as toxic to livestock.
Is Spiked Muhly HOA-friendly?: Spiked Muhly is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.

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.

See all plant problem guides

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