December Perennial of the Month-Texas Sedge
We keep hearing about new lawn alternatives that require less maintenance and are better for the environment. Most native alternatives for the St. Louis area seem to belong to the Cyperaceae family, also known as the Carex or Sedge family.
Texas sedge, Carex texensis, is a cool-season, herbaceous perennial found throughout the southeastern and midwestern United States in zones 5-9. It prefers sandy soils, but it will grow in a wide variety of soil types, needing moist soil, especially in the southern states, if grown in full sun. The more moisture it gets, the taller it grows, topping out around 12”. Texas sedge is a slow-growing species that spreads by rhizomes, plus is drought and heat-tolerant once established.
For winter interest, Texas sedge turns the typical grass, straw color, vs bright green during the growing season.
Despite preferring full sun, Texas sedge can tolerate dry shade and light foot traffic, making it a possible lawn alternative.
To maintain it as a turfgrass, mow it on a high setting a few times a year. For ornamental purposes and best winter interest, leave the straw-colored foliage until spring, then give it a haircut before the new foliage appears, usually by March.
What I love about this plant;
-It’s native!
-Can be used as an ornamental or lawn alternative.
-Nice fine texture.
-Winter interest.
-Deer resistant.
-Will tolerate dry shade.
What’s not so great.
-If you want a lush, thick planting for a lawn alternative, it’s going to take a while; be patient.
-Can have a “messy” look. Make sure to trim off last year’s straw-colored foliage before the new foliage emerges in spring.
-“Light foot traffic” doesn’t mean six boys playing soccer on your front lawn every day after school. Keep any traffic, including pet-traffic, to a minimum for best results if you are using it for a lawn.
-Any plant that spreads by rhizomes is going to try to get into flower beds, etc.. This is a minor issue compared to the maintenance of the typical US lawn. Like most things in life, and especially Mother Nature, there is always a price.
-Comments or questions? Email Garden-Lou at gardenloustl@gmail.com
Words and photos by Jo Batzer
© Jo Batzer, garden-lou.com-2025, All rights reserved.
