Photo: no rights reservedCC0 1.0via iNaturalist
Flea Sedge Plant Care
Carex pulicaris L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Native to Europe and Asia, this plant is known for its striking bright green grass-like leaves with drooping tips. Carex pulicaris is highly sought after by plant collectors for its unique appearance and ability to thrive in shade gardens, adding a pop of color and texture to any collection.
Every 3–5 days
Part shade to full shade
50–75°F
60–80%
At a glance
How do you care for Flea Sedge?
Water Flea Sedge every 3–5 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it part shade to full shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C) and 60–80% humidity. Fertilize it every 2 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Flea Sedge Native To?
- Albania
- Austria
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- The Netherlands
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
What Is the Flea Sedge?
Flea Sedge (Carex pulicaris) belongs to the Cyperaceae family within the Carex genus. Flea Sedge is native to Europe. Flea Sedge is also known as Flea-grass.
Flea Sedge displays a grass-like clumping growth habit, reaching up to 1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Flea Sedge produces inconspicuous brown or green spikes.
Leaf size: approximately 8 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Flea Sedge?
Carex pulicaris requires watering every 3–5 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 3–5 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Flea Sedge Need?
Flea Sedge thrives in part shade to full shade. Avoid placing Flea Sedge in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Part shade to full shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Flea Sedge Prefer?
Carex pulicaris grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Flea Sedge prefers humidity levels of 60–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
60–80%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Flea Sedge?
Moist, well-draining soil with high organic matter content. Good drainage is essential for Flea Sedge to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Flea Sedge?
Feed Flea Sedge every 2 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 2 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Flea Sedge?
Divide and repot every 2-3 years in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Flea Sedge?
Flea Sedge can be propagated through division, seed. Similar propagation techniques also apply to white-leaved sedge plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Flea Sedge Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Flea Sedge, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Flea Sedge?
Flea Sedge is susceptible to aphids, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Flea Sedge Need?
Flea Sedge grows outdoors in USDA Zone 4a – 8b. It survives winters down to planting zone 4a. Flea Sedge is native to Europe.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 4a – 8b
Keep exploring plants
Flea Sedge is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Carex genus — compare its care with other Carex species on PlantoScan.
Carex is part of the Cyperaceae plant family — browse all Cyperaceae genera and species.
Flea Sedge copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.
More Carex Species
Other Carex species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Carex pulicaris L., family Cyperaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 972 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Flea Sedge, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: Public domain, CC0 1.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 4a – 8b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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