Sprengel's sedge
Carex sprengelii
Last reviewed: September 2026
Sprengel's sedge (Carex sprengelii) is a perennial grass native to CO, CT, DE, IA and 19 more states. It blooms in May and June.

Toxicity unknown
Sprengel's sedge (Carex sprengelii) 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
part shade
Water
medium
Size
18"–30" H × 12"–18" W
Bloom
May, Jun
Native to
CO, CT, DE, IA and 19 more states
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 458 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaBrowse plants for this ecoregion
Cool-season sedge forming graceful arching clumps with drooping, bristly seed heads. Found in rich woodland soils and along shaded streambanks.
Growing Sprengel's sedge
Grow Sprengel's sedge in part shade and medium water. Mature plants reach 18 to 30 inches tall and spread 12 to 18 inches wide.
Wildlife value
Seeds provide food for songbirds; the arching foliage offers early-season ground cover in woodland gardens.
Common questions
- How much sun does Sprengel's sedge need?
- Sprengel's sedge grows best in part shade conditions.
- When does Sprengel's sedge bloom?
- Sprengel's sedge blooms in May and June.
- Where is Sprengel's sedge native?
- Sprengel's sedge (Carex sprengelii) is native to CO, CT, DE, IA and 19 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
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.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Sprengel's sedge? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.