How much sun does Tickle Grass need?

Tickle Grass grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Tickle Grass bloom?

Tickle Grass blooms in June, July, and August.

Where is Tickle Grass native?

Tickle Grass (Agrostis scabra) is native to AL, AR, AZ, CA and 41 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

Is Tickle Grass toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Tickle Grass as toxic to livestock.

What pollinators does Tickle Grass attract?

Tickle Grass draws bees and beetles.

Is Tickle Grass HOA-friendly?

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

Tickle Grass

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Agrostis scabra

Last reviewed: August 2026

Toxicity unknown

Tickle Grass (Agrostis scabra) 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 Tickle Grass as toxic to livestock.

Light

full sun

Water

medium

Size

12"–36" H × 6"–12" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul, Aug

Native to

AL, AR, AZ, CA and 41 more states

Pollinators

bees, beetles

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.

Find rebates in your area

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Puget Lowland Marine West Coast Forest Northwestern Forested Mountains Sierra Nevada Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Southern California Mountains North American Deserts Central Basin and Range Southern Rockies Arizona/New Mexico Mountains Chihuahuan Deserts High Plains Southwestern Tablelands Northwestern Glaciated Plains Northwestern Great Plains Great Plains Northern Glaciated 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 Huron/Erie Lake Plains Northeastern Highlands Northeastern Coastal Zone Northern Allegheny Plateau Erie Drift Plain Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain Northern Piedmont Southeastern Plains Blue Ridge Ridge and Valley Central Appalachians Western Allegheny Plateau Interior Plateau Interior River Valleys and Hills Southern Coastal Plain Madrean Archipelago Sonoran Basin and Range Acadian Plains and Hills Eastern Great Lakes Lowlands Atlantic Coastal Pine Barrens

Tickle grass is a delicate native perennial that forms loose clumps with fine-textured foliage. It produces airy, open flower heads in summer that create a soft, naturalistic appearance in the landscape.

In an HOA neighborhood

Tickle Grass 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.

Very informal appearance that looks wild or weedy
Common name 'tickle grass' suggests unkempt character
Too naturalistic for typical HOA front yard standards

Wildlife value

This grass provides habitat and food for native bees and beetles during its summer bloom period. The seeds also offer food for small birds and wildlife.

Common questions

How much sun does Tickle Grass need?: Tickle Grass grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Tickle Grass bloom?: Tickle Grass blooms in June, July, and August.
Where is Tickle Grass native?: Tickle Grass (Agrostis scabra) is native to AL, AR, AZ, CA and 41 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
Is Tickle Grass toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Tickle Grass as toxic to livestock.
What pollinators does Tickle Grass attract?: Tickle Grass draws bees and beetles.
Is Tickle Grass HOA-friendly?: Tickle Grass 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.

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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