Is it good for lawns?

It is excellent for low maintenance lawns as it tolerates close mowing.

Does it need fertilizer?

It prefers moderate soil and usually does not require extra feeding.

Plant guide

Crested dogstail.

Cynosurus cristatus

Pronounced sy-no-SOO-rus kris-TAY-tus

Also known as Crested Dog's-Tail, Crested Dogstail, Crested dogstail grass, Crested dog’s tail grass

Crested dogstail is a hardy perennial grass often found in pastures and meadows. It forms dense, tufted clumps that stay green throughout much of the year. This grass is quite adaptable and stands up well to grazing and mowing.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Perennial grass
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 8 to 24 inches
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 4 to 9
Bloom time: Late spring to mid summer

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged for the best growth. Watch for yellowing leaves which can indicate poor drainage or nutrient deficiency. It thrives best when grown in open, sunny areas.

Watering: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Feeding: Apply a balanced fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Trim back dead foliage in late winter to encourage fresh growth.
Repotting: Repot if the plant becomes root bound or the soil loses its structure.
Soil: Well draining loam
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: -20 to 30°C
Humidity: 40 to 80%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 3 to 5 years.
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Safety

People: There are no reports of human toxicity for this species.
Children: The sharp seed heads might scratch delicate skin, so keep an eye on small children.
Contact allergens: The leaf blades can cause minor skin irritation if handled roughly.
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

Narrow, flat, dark green leaves
Distinctive comb like flower spikes
Dense tufted growth habit
Smooth stems without hairs

Height: 0.2 to 0.6m
Spread: 0.15 to 0.3m
Leaves: green, deciduous
Flowers: green, yellow, 2 to 8cm

Problems to watch for

RustCommon
Red ThreadUncommon
SmutUncommon
Root RotRare

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Growing it

Propagation: seed
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: Leave the foliage standing through winter to protect the crown from frost. Cut back to the ground in early spring before new growth begins.
In containers: It is not typically grown in containers as it prefers the stability of open ground.

Seed sowing

Collect seeds in late summer when they turn brown.
Sow directly into prepared soil in autumn.
Lightly rake the seeds into the surface.
Keep the area moist until germination occurs.

Pair this grass with native wildflowers to create a balanced meadow ecosystem.

Grows well with

Red Clover · It fixes nitrogen in the soil, which benefits the grass.
Oxeye Daisy · They grow well together in traditional meadow settings.

Similar species

Sweet Vernal Grass · It shares a similar habitat and growth habit.

Science

Family: Poaceae
Genus: Cynosurus
Order: Poales
Class: Liliopsida
Native range: Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa.
Conservation: This species is common and not of conservation concern.

It thrives in well drained, neutral to slightly acidic soils in open meadows and grasslands.

Value to wildlife: larval host plant, provides nesting material
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: pasture grass, ornamental meadow planting, erosion control

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 4/9
Nutrients: 4/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is it good for lawns?: It is excellent for low maintenance lawns as it tolerates close mowing.
Does it need fertilizer?: It prefers moderate soil and usually does not require extra feeding.

Where the name comes from

The name Cynosurus comes from the Greek words for dog and tail, referring to the shape of the flower spike. Cristatus means crested, describing the appearance of the spikelets.

Good to know

It is often called crested dogstail because of its unique, comb like seed head.
This grass is a classic component of traditional hay meadows in Europe.
It has a very deep root system that helps it survive in poor soils.

Also in

Drought-tolerant plants

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.