Foxtail
Setaria spp.
Foxtail is a group of annual grasses named for their bushy, bristly seed heads that resemble a fox's tail. They are common weeds of lawns, fields and roadsides.
- Light
- Full sun
- Water
- Drought-tolerant once established
- Difficulty
- Easy
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Overview
Foxtail refers to several annual grasses in the genus Setaria (notably yellow foxtail, Setaria pumila, and green foxtail, Setaria viridis), named for their dense, cylindrical, bristle-covered seed heads.
These warm-season grasses germinate in late spring and quickly colonize disturbed soil, gardens, crop fields and thin lawns. Their barbed seed heads cling readily to fur and clothing, helping them spread.
How to identify it
The signature feature is the soft, spiky seed head shaped like a fox's tail.
- Upright annual grass, typically 1-3 ft tall
- Flat, smooth leaf blades, sometimes with hairs near the base
- Dense cylindrical seed head covered in fine bristles (yellow, green or purple-tinged depending on species)
- Shallow, fibrous root system
- Grows in clumps or scattered through turf
Care & growing
Foxtail is unwanted in most settings and needs no care; the goal is usually control.
- Light: Full sun; intolerant of dense shade
- Water: Highly drought-tolerant once rooted
- Soil: Thrives in disturbed, compacted or poor soils
- Temperature: Warm-season annual, dies with frost
- Propagation: By prolific seed; a single plant produces thousands of seeds
- Control: Pre-emergent herbicides in spring, dense healthy turf, and removing seed heads before they ripen
Habitat & origin
Foxtail grasses originated in Eurasia and are now naturalized worldwide, including throughout North America.
They colonize roadsides, agricultural fields, vacant lots, gardens and any disturbed, sunny ground. They are especially common in thin or stressed lawns and in row crops.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get rid of foxtail weeds?
Apply a pre-emergent herbicide in early spring, maintain thick healthy turf to crowd it out, and pull or mow plants before their seed heads mature to prevent reseeding.
Is foxtail grass an annual or perennial?
The common weedy foxtails (Setaria species) are summer annuals that sprout each spring, set seed, and die at frost, though they return from seed the following year.
Can foxtail be confused with other grasses?
Before heading out, it resembles many lawn grasses, but the distinctive bushy, bristly seed spike makes mature foxtail easy to recognize.
Foxtail guides
In-depth guides for identifying, growing, and caring for Foxtail.
