How much sun does String Sedge need?

String Sedge grows best in full sun conditions.

When does String Sedge bloom?

String Sedge blooms in May, June, and July.

Where is String Sedge native?

String Sedge (Carex chordorrhiza) is native to IA, IL, IN, ME and 8 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

Is String Sedge HOA-friendly?

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

String Sedge

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Carex chordorrhiza

Last reviewed: August 2026

Toxicity unknown

String Sedge (Carex chordorrhiza) 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

full sun

Water

high

Size

4"–12" H × 6"–18" W

Bloom

May, Jun, Jul

Native to

IA, IL, IN, ME and 8 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 445 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Western Corn Belt Plains Northern Forests Northern Lakes and Forests North Central Hardwood Forests Southeastern Wisconsin Till Plains Southern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift Plains

String sedge is a low-growing native grass that forms dense mats in wet areas. It thrives in consistently moist to wet soils and produces small flower spikes in late spring and summer.

In an HOA neighborhood

String Sedge takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: high. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Requires consistently wet conditions that may create maintenance issues
Very informal appearance doesn't match typical landscaping expectations
Can spread aggressively and look uncontrolled

Wildlife value

This sedge provides habitat for wetland wildlife and its seeds may feed small birds, though it's not a major pollinator plant.

Common questions

How much sun does String Sedge need?: String Sedge grows best in full sun conditions.
When does String Sedge bloom?: String Sedge blooms in May, June, and July.
Where is String Sedge native?: String Sedge (Carex chordorrhiza) is native to IA, IL, IN, ME and 8 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
Is String Sedge HOA-friendly?: String Sedge takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

Ready to grow String Sedge? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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