Timothy Grass
Phleum pratense · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae
Grass Category
Pasture/Forage Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Common Timothy or standard forage cultivars like Climax
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 8, tolerates harsh cold winters well but struggles with intense summer heat and drought.
About This Grass
An erect, pale green to grayish-green cool-season grass packed tightly into baled hay. Features characteristic cylindrical, spike-like panicle seed heads (visible in the hay as dense, furry cylinders) and hollow stems reaching 20-40 inches tall when mature.
Blade Characteristics
Flat, medium-width blades (3-8mm wide), tapering to a sharp point, hairless with prominent parallel veins. Vernation is rolled in the bud. Ligule is membranous and rounded, auricles are absent.
Root System
Shallow, fibrous root system without significant rhizomes or stolons, featuring small corm-like swellings at the base of the stems that store nutrients.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe, now widely cultivated and naturalized across North America, Asia, and temperate regions globally.
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming) with shallow, fibrous root systems and often small bulbous corms at the base.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun and moderate to high moisture levels. Performs best in cool, humid climates with adequate rainfall; has poor drought tolerance.
Mowing & Maintenance
Grown primarily for forage and hay rather than turf. For pasture or hay management, cut at the heading stage to balance yield and nutritional quality. Maintenance level is moderate.
Special Characteristics
Highly palatable livestock forage especially prized for horses; excellent winter hardiness; moderate traffic tolerance as a bunch grass; poor persistence under heavy continuous grazing.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America widely used for hay and pasture blends with legumes like alfalfa and red clover; provides ground cover and wildlife nesting habitat.