Creeping rye grass, or Leymus triticoides, is a cool season, sod-forming native grass that forms large clonal clumps through spreading rhizomes. It is well-suited to seasonally wet areas and tolerates both drought and flooding. Propagation is easiest through divisions in spring, though it can also be grown from seed. Creeping rye grass makes an attractive, low-maintenance lawn alternative and helps stabilize soil.

1. Creeping Rye Grass – Leymus triticoides (formerly Elymus triticoides)
(LIE (LAY)-mus trih-tih-coe-EE-deez)
Family: Poaceae (Grass Family)
Native to: Western N. America, including CA (except desert). Found in many plant communities, often in
moist, saline areas including sand dunes, saline meadows, river flats.
Growth characteristics: cool season, sod-forming grass mature height: 1-3 ft. (un-mowed) mature width:
variable. Forms large clonal clumps (sod) by spreading rhizomes. Stems upright, hollow. Green in summer.
Looks like cross between Bermuda Grass and Saltgrass.
Blooms/fruits: blooms in spring; small inconspicuous green flowers on taller stems.
Uses in the garden: Best native grass for seasonally wet swales, streambeds, washes. Makes a fine
mowed lawn. OK under trees – not deep shade. Excellent for bank stabilization and weed suppression.
Easy, tough & adaptable. Good-looking, lush with a little water. Cultivars ‘Rio’ and ‘Yolo’ are suited for
S. CA. ‘Gray Dawn’ has gray foliage, fast growth.
Sensible substitute for: non-native rye grasses (Arizona & Canada Ryes).
Attracts: insects, birds (cover & seeds), Skipper butterflies
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun to partial shade; fine under oaks, cottonwoods, sycamores
Soil Any texture if well-drained; tolerates alkaline soils
Water Likes some summer water but tolerates drought; tolerates seasonal flooding
Fertilizer Low/none needed
Other
Management: Can mow every 3-4 weeks in growing season (mow high). Will look like Bermuda Grass if
mowed. Remember that it can be invasive, particularly with summer watering. Easiest if started from
pugs, if available. See grower’s advice for seeding rates.
Propagation: from seed: low vigor – seed heavily from divisions: very easy in spring. Larger divisions
can be replanted in ground; grow smaller divisions up to size in pots.
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 2-5, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 20, 21, 25, 28 1/26/16
© Project SOUND

2. Leymus triticoides
Creeping wildrye