Cyperaceae
Chaffy sedge
Carex paleacea
Also known as Carex paleacea f. neopaleacea, Carex maritima f. brunnescens, Many-headed sedge, Carex maritima
Zones 4–9Sun Full SunWater ModerateCare Low
Native Plants · Sedge · Cold-Hardy · Wildlife · Meadow · Woodland · Naturalized · Carex · Northern
Pet-safeBeginner-friendlyAttracts pollinators
Currently out of stock everywhereStock updated 9/6/2026
This cold-hardy sedge thrives in northern climates and tolerates a wide range of soil conditions. Excellent for naturalizing in meadows or woodland edges where it provides wildlife habitat. Very low maintenance once established but rarely available commercially.
Growing conditions
The details behind the basics
- Daily light
- 6 hours
- Watering
- Water moderately, allowing soil to dry between waterings · Every 10-14 days
- Maintenance
- Low
- Soil
- loam
- Soil pH
- 7–7.5
- Temperature
- -30°F to 95°F
- Cycle
- Perennial
- Propagation
- Seed
Hardiness
USDA 4a-9b
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Form & growth
Mature size and habit
- Mature height
- 12 in – 2.5 ft
- Spread
- 18 in
- Spacing
- 10 in apart
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Root depth
- Medium
- Flowers
- No
- Foliage
- Fine
Ecology & origin
Where it belongs and what it brings
- Native to
- Denmark, Finland, Labrador, Maine, Manitoba, Masachusettes, New Brunswick, New Hampshire, Newfoundland, North European Russi, Norway, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Prince Edward I., QuéBec, Sweden
- Attracts
- Birds
Sources: trefle, usda
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