Sixweeks Grass
Festuca octoflora
Care
full sun
Fast
2–2ft tall
Resistant
Friendly
Grasslands, chaparral, and semi-arid scrub throughout California from sea level to 8,000 ft elevation, extending to British Columbia and Mexico
Care Guide
Planting
Plant Sixweeks Grass in full sun in well-draining, sandy soil - it thrives in the lean, fast-draining conditions of open, sunny places and naturally occurs in chaparral, foothill woodland, and valley grassland habitats. This is an annual grass, so plant it in fall or early spring to take advantage of winter and spring moisture. Space plants to allow air circulation, as this bunchgrass naturally grows between shrubs in open areas.
After Planting
As an annual, Sixweeks Grass completes its life cycle in a single growing season and requires no long-term establishment care or pruning. This is a low-maintenance native that evolved to thrive on natural rainfall in California's dry climate, so avoid overwatering once established. The #1 mistake is treating it like a perennial - this grass is meant to grow, flower, set seed, and die back within its season, providing about six weeks of growth after spring rains.
Endangered & Threatened Species Supported
Listed under ESA in 1998
Wildlife Supported
Birds
Important winter food source in grassland habitats; supplemental spring forage
Fall foraging for seeds as winter food source approaches
Insects
Rust fungus infects stems during spring growth; important disease vector in grass ecosystems
Soil-borne fungal pathogen; affects seedlings and roots throughout growing season
Species-specific pathogen; causes leaf spotting during wet spring conditions