Canada Wild Rye plant profile
Elymus canadensis
A perennial grass for full sun.
Last updated .
When to plant
When to plant Canada Wild Rye
Canada wild rye is a short-lived cool-season perennial bunchgrass established from seed or by division; it flowers in late summer. Set out plants or divisions in spring. NC State warns the barbed seed awns can injure a dog's eyes, so avoid planting where pets play.
The calendar shows this cited seasonal window as an approximate band. It does not convert the season into frost-adjusted dates.
Open Canada Wild Rye in my garden calendarShows the source-backed planting season, not frost-adjusted dates.
Growing conditions
- Sun
- Full sun
- Soil pH
- 4.5 to 8
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Spacing
- 12 to 36 in apart
- Hardiness
- Zones 3a to 8bFind my hardiness zone
Next steps
Continue with Canada Wild Rye
Evidence trail
Evidence behind this profile
Original extension and institutional publications behind the planting, care, and safety facts on this page.
- Elymus canadensis (Canada Wild Rye)
North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox (NC State Extension). Supports general reference. Checked 2026-06-18.