Poaceae
Water-bent
Polypogon viridis
Also known as Agrostis aquatica, Aquatic bentgrass, Water bentgrass, Vilfa villarsii
Zones 5–9Sun Full SunWater ModerateCare Low
Native Plants · Grass · Perennial · Erosion Control · Wetland · Naturalized · Poaceae · Water Loving · Hardy
Pet-safeBeginner-friendlyAttracts pollinators
Currently out of stock everywhereStock updated 9/6/2026
Water-bent is a hardy perennial grass that thrives in moist conditions with moderate watering. It prefers full to partial sun and requires minimal care once established. This grass is primarily grown for erosion control and naturalizing wet areas rather than ornamental purposes.
Growing conditions
The details behind the basics
- Daily light
- 6 hours
- Watering
- Water moderately, keeping soil consistently moist but not waterlogged · Every 5-7 days
- Maintenance
- Low
- Soil
- loam
- Soil pH
- 5.5–6.5
- Temperature
- -20°F to 95°F
- Cycle
- Perennial
Hardiness
USDA 5a-9b
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Form & growth
Mature size and habit
- Mature height
- 18 in – 3 ft
- Spread
- 2 ft
- Spacing
- 6 in apart
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Root depth
- Medium
- Flowers
- No
- Foliage
- Medium
Ecology & origin
Where it belongs and what it brings
- Native to
- Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Argentina Northeast, Argentina Northwest, Argentina South, Arizona, Austria, Azores, Baleares, Bolivia, British Columbia, Bulgaria, California, Canary Is., Cape Provinces, Cape Verde, Chile Central, Chile North
- Attracts
- Birds
Sources: trefle, usda
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