Wiregrass is an ornamental warm-season bunch grass in the Poaceae family that is found in sandhills and coastal plain regions of the eastern United States. This perennial grass will only produce viable seed if burned during the growing season. The genus name is from the Latin arista , meaning “awn” and referring to the three awns that extend from the florets. The species epithet, stricta , is from the Latin strictus , meaning “straight” or “erect.” Wiregrass will grow 1 to 3 feet tall and wide and prefers full sun to partial shade in well-drained sandy soils. It is tolerant of drought and poor soils. Propagation is by division or seeds. Removing spent leaves helps stimulate new growth. The small brown flowers are in spike-like terminal racemes and the leaves are long, slender and wire-like in appearance. Wiregrass is used in naturalized areas and land restoration projects. It could potentially be used in the garden border as it is clump-forming and rarely produces flowers and seeds. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. Fire Risk: This plant has a high flammability rating and should not be planted within the defensible space of your home. Select plants with a low flammability rating for the sites nearest your home.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Native Plant; Ornamental Grasses and Sedges; Perennial
Life cycle
Perennial
USDA zones
8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Occasional Flooding | Occasionally Dry
NC region
Coastal; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping
Leaf color
Brown/Copper; Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Linear
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The long thin leave blades roll inward giving them a wire-like appearance. Young leaves are green and straight and older leaves arch and turn brown. Leaves are up to 20 inches long.
Flower color
Brown/Copper
Flower form
Raceme
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
The tiny brown flowers are born on spikelike terminal racemes on stalks extended above the leaves. They bloom from September to November. Mainly flowers only after a fire.
Bloom time
Fall; Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Gold/Yellow
Fruit type
Caryopsis
Fruit size
< 1 inch long
Fruit detail
The grass produces yellow seeds. They are dispersed by wind or the fur of animals. Fruit displays from November to December. Seeds are produced only after a fire.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
E. North Carolina to N. South Carolina
Distribution
Carolinas south to FL
Wildlife value
Provides cover year-round. Produces seeds eaten by quail and songbirds and provides cover for many birds, reptiles, and small mammals. White-tailed deer may browse foliage but this plant is highly resistant to damage. It is a primary food source for gopher tortoises. Cattle will graze the tender shoots.