Splitawn Sedge
Carex tumulicola
Last reviewed: September 2026
Carex tumulicola, or Splitawn sedge, is a low mounding evergreen sedge that blooms from April through June and does well in part sun with medium water, often used as a lawn alternative in mild coastal climates.
Splitawn Sedge (Carex tumulicola) is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs or cats (aspca.org (opens in new tab), last reviewed 2026-05-21). If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
part sun
Water
medium
Size
8"–24" H × 12"–24" W
Bloom
Apr, May, Jun
Native to
CA, OR, WA
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Splitawn sedge is a fine-textured, tufted, evergreen sedge with arching leaf blades that form neat mounds. It grows well in partial shade and adapts to various soil types. This native plant makes an excellent ground cover or accent plant in woodland gardens.
Growing Splitawn Sedge
Grow Splitawn Sedge in part sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 8 to 24 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
Splitawn Sedge is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.
Works well in: front yard, foundation, street edge, mid zone.
- May need occasional trimming to maintain tidy appearance
Wildlife value
Provides habitat and cover for small wildlife and beneficial insects. The seeds offer food for birds and small mammals.
Common questions
- How much light does Splitawn sedge need?
- Carex tumulicola grows best in part sun. It tolerates a range from fuller sun to shadier spots, but foliage tends to look best with some relief from the hottest afternoon light.
- How much water does Carex tumulicola require?
- This sedge prefers medium, fairly consistent moisture but can get by with less once it is established, making it a flexible choice for gardens that get moderate summer irrigation.
- When does Splitawn sedge bloom?
- Splitawn sedge produces its inconspicuous grasslike flowers from April through June. The blooms are subtle compared to the fine-textured foliage that makes this sedge popular in gardens.
- Is Carex tumulicola evergreen or deciduous?
- Carex tumulicola is evergreen, holding its narrow arching leaves year round in mild climates, which is one reason it is often planted as a low-maintenance lawn substitute.
- How is Splitawn sedge typically used in landscaping?
- Gardeners often use Carex tumulicola as a fine-textured groundcover or turf alternative in part-sun beds, since its clumping habit and moderate water needs suit low-mow or no-mow designs.
- Is Splitawn Sedge toxic to dogs?
- Splitawn Sedge is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs (aspca.org).
- Is Splitawn Sedge toxic to cats?
- Splitawn Sedge is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for cats (aspca.org).
- Is Splitawn Sedge HOA-friendly?
- Splitawn Sedge 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 vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. 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
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