Annual Bluegrass
Poa annua · Cool-season, Winter Annual or short-lived Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae
Grass Category
Invasive/Weed Grass, Lawn/Turf
Variety / Cultivar
Wild type (common weed biotypes)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 2-10, sensitive to extreme heat and drought
About This Grass
Light green, fine-textured grass that grows in clumps and forms numerous seed heads even at very low mowing heights. Height can reach 6 inches if unmoved. Notable for its bright green patches contrasting with darker turf.
Blade Characteristics
Fine width (1-3mm), flat or folded, boat-shaped tip, light to bright green, folded in the bud with a prominent membranous ligule and no auricles
Root System
Shallow, fibrous root system, poor drought tolerance, rapid establishment from seed, forms weak sod
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe, now naturalized worldwide in temperate regions
Growth Habit
Bunch-type, low-growing, spreads primarily by abundant seed production rather than aggressive stolons or rhizomes
Sunlight & Water Needs
Thrives in full sun to partial shade, prefers moist compacted soils, poor drought tolerance, goes dormant or dies in summer heat
Mowing & Maintenance
Requires frequent mowing due to prolific seed head production at low heights, high maintenance weed when unwanted in turf
Special Characteristics
Low wear tolerance, susceptible to summer patch and dollar spot, highly prolific seed producer, often acts as a weed in managed turfgrass
Ecological Information
Introduced species, highly invasive in managed lawns, provides minimal wildlife value compared to native grasses
Notes
Front lawn