Meadow foxtail.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Perennial grass

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Indoor light

Direct sun

Water

Every 3 to 7 days

Mature size

3 feet

Growth rate

Fast

Hardiness

USDA 4 to 9

Bloom time

Late spring to early summer

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist to mimic its natural wetland habitat. Watch for yellowing leaves which often indicate poor drainage or nutrient deficiency. It is a hardy plant that requires little intervention once established.

Watering

Keep the soil damp at all times as this grass does not tolerate drought.

Feeding

Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring to support vigorous growth.

Pruning

Cut back the foliage in late winter to make room for new spring growth.

Repotting

Divide the root ball every few years if the plant becomes too crowded in its container.

Soil

Moist, fertile, heavy soils

Soil pH

6.0 to 7.5

Temperature

-30 to 30°C

Humidity

40 to 80%

Drought tolerance

Low

Lifespan

Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years.

Deer and rabbits

Moderate

Safety

People

There is no known toxicity to humans.

Children

The grass blades can be sharp and may cause minor paper cuts if handled roughly.

Contact allergens

The foliage can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals due to its texture.

Airborne allergens

The pollen is a common seasonal allergen for many people.

Edibility

This grass is not intended for human consumption.

How to identify it

• Soft cylindrical flower spikes
• Bright green leaf blades
• Grows in dense tufts
• Smooth leaf sheaths
• Ligule is membranous

Height

0.3 to 1m

Spread

0.2 to 0.4m

Leaves

green, blue-green, deciduous

Flowers

green, yellow, 3 to 8cm

Fruit

brown, Summer

Problems to watch for

• Rust · Fungal infection causing orange or brown pustules on the leaves.

Growing it

Propagation

division, seed

When to plant

spring, autumn

Overwintering

The foliage may die back in cold winters. Leave the dried stems standing for winter interest and cut back in early spring before new growth begins.

In containers

It is not well-suited for containers as it prefers open ground and spreads via rhizomes.

Plant in drifts with other moisture-loving meadow perennials to create a naturalistic look.

Grows well with

• Red Clover · They grow well together in meadow settings and provide nitrogen fixation.
• Oxeye Daisy · This wildflower complements the texture of the grass in a meadow.

Similar species

• Timothy Grass · It has a similar appearance but blooms later in the season.

Science

Family

Poaceae

Genus

Alopecurus

Order

Poales

Class

Liliopsida

Native range

Europe and temperate Asia.

Conservation

It is a common and widespread species with no conservation concerns.

It is a perennial grass that spreads through short rhizomes and seeds, often dominating damp, nutrient-rich grasslands.

Value to wildlife

larval host plant, nesting material

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Uses

pasture grass, meadow planting, erosion control

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is it good for lawns?

It is generally too clumpy and tall for a fine lawn but works well in wild meadows.

Does it need a lot of water?

It prefers moist, well-drained soil and does not tolerate extreme drought.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Alopecurus comes from the Greek words for fox and tail, describing the flower spike. The specific epithet pratensis means of the meadow.

Good to know

• It is one of the first grasses to green up in the spring.
• The flower spikes resemble the tail of a fox, giving it its common name.
• It thrives in damp, fertile soils where other grasses might struggle.