Skip to content
IIIFolio · plant profile№ FECFedible
Data provenancePermapeopleTrefleWikipediaPFAFPOWOreviewed 15 Oct 2026methodology → read
Home/Plants/Poaceae

Old Witch Grass

Panicum capillarefam. Poaceae
Educational content — not medical, botanical, or professional advice. Plant identification, safety, and edibility depend on local conditions, cultivars, and correct identification. Consult a qualified botanist or forager before consuming or handling wild specimens. How we source & review →
edibleannualannualcerealedibleedible seedgraminoidnative am
Updated·Quick Q&A →
Garden journal pausedUse profile notes below
Panicum capillare (Old Witch Grass) — botanical photograph
Pl. FECF — Panicum capillare
Panicum capillarePanicum capillarePanicum capillarePanicum capillarePanicum capillarePanicum capillarePanicum capillarePanicum capillarePanicum capillarePanicum capillarePanicum capillarePanicum capillarePanicum capillarePanicum capillare
I

Overview

Old Witch Grass (Panicum capillare) is an annual graminoid native to a wide range of North American and Caribbean regions, including Alabama, Alberta, Arizona, Arkansas, Bermuda, British Columbia, California, Colorado, and many others. This plant thrives in moist, light to heavy soils with a pH between 7.5 and 8, making it adaptable but preferring slightly alkaline conditions. Known for its edible seeds, Old Witch Grass is recognized for its culinary use. The seeds can be consumed raw or cooked, providing a light, moist texture when eaten. The plant reaches heights of about 0.6 meters and is known for its distinctive presence in various habitats across its native range. Old Witch Grass is an annual graminoid that thrives in light to medium soil, with a preference for sandy or clay textures. It requires moist conditions and grows best in full sun to partial shade. The plant is hardy in zones 4-8, making it suitable for temperate regions. For propagation, use seeds which can be sown directly into the ground. Keep the soil consistently moist during germination and growth. This annual graminoid reaches a height of about 0.6 meters and is native to a wide range of North American states and territories. While Old Witch Grass is not known for medicinal properties, it does have potential as a weed, so it is important to manage its spread in cultivated areas.

Quick answers

What is Old Witch Grass?

Old Witch Grass (Panicum capillare) is an annual graminoid native to a wide range of North American and Caribbean regions, including Alabama, Alberta, Arizona, Arkansas, Bermuda, British Columbia, California, Colorado, and many others. This plant thrives in moist, light to heavy soils with a pH between 7.

Compare with:Hordeum intermedium→Japanese Millet→Mountain Rye→all comparisons →
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
V

Cultivation

Old Witch Grass thrives in light to medium soil with a preference for sandy or clay textures. It requires moist conditions and grows best in full sun to partial shade. The plant is hardy in zones 4-8, making it suitable for temperate regions. For propagation, use seeds which can be sown directly into the ground. Keep the soil consistently moist during germination and growth. This annual graminoid reaches a height of about 0.6 meters and is native to a wide range of North American states and territories.
Light
9/10
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
4-8
Life cycle
Annual
Habit
Graminoid
Mature size
0.6 m tall
Soil pH
7.5–8
For first-time growers

How to grow Old Witch Grass for the first time

8steps

Start with Old Witch Grass as a simple, low-maintenance addition to your garden.

  1. 1

    What you'll need

    Seeds or seedlings of Old Witch Grass.

  2. 2

    Best time to plant

    Plant in spring after the last frost, or in early fall.

  3. 3

    Soil and container prep

    Choose a location with moist, light (sandy), medium, or heavy soil. Ensure good drainage.

  4. 4

    Sowing or transplanting

    Direct sow seeds 0.5-1 cm deep in the ground or plant seedlings at this depth.

  5. 5

    First two weeks

    Keep the soil consistently moist and provide partial shade if necessary.

  6. 6

    Ongoing care

    Water regularly, especially during dry spells. Fertilize sparingly with a balanced fertilizer.

  7. 7

    Harvest or pruning

    Prune dead foliage in late winter to maintain the plant's health and appearance.

  8. 8

    Common mistakes

    Overwatering, planting in too sunny a location, neglecting regular pruning.

VI

Edible & utility

Edible parts:Seed
Edible uses: The Old Witch Grass seed is edible and can be consumed raw or cooked. Typically, the seeds are harvested and prepared in various ways, such as boiling or grinding into flour for baking. They provide a light, moist texture when eaten.
Other uses:Crafting
Contextrange · companions · related
VII

Distribution

67 native · 44 introduced
Distribution across4 continents· 67 native· 44 introduced
Europe18 regions
native (1)Russia
introduced (17)AustriaBelgiumFranceGermanyGreeceHungaryItalyNetherlandsPolandPortugalRomaniaRussiaSpainSwedenSwitzerlandUkraineUnited Kingdom
Asia5 regions
native (1)Georgia
introduced (4)JapanPakistanPalestineTurkey
Americas3 regions
native (2)CubaJamaica
introduced (1)Uruguay
Oceania1 region
introduced (1)New Caledonia
Broader regions
native:Alabama, Alberta, Arizona, Arkansas, Bermuda, British Columbia, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Leeward Is., Louisiana, Maine, Manitoba, Maryland, Masachusettes, Massachusetts, Mexico Northeast, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Brunswick, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nova Scotia, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Prince Edward I., Québec, Rhode I., Saskatchewan, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Trinidad-Tobago, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Windward Is., Wisconsin, Wyoming
introduced:Argentina Northeast, Argentina Northwest, Argentina South, Baltic States, Brazil South, Chile Central, Chile South, Czechoslovakia, East Aegean Is., Kriti, Lebanon-Syria, New Zealand North, New Zealand South, Primorye, Transcaucasus, Yugoslavia
IX

Specimen gallery

1 image
Panicum capillare (Old Witch Grass) — botanical photograph
Old Witch Grass (Panicum capillare)
X

See also

8 related
XI

Explore further

XII

About this entry

Last updated
Citation
How to cite this entry · Submit a correction
Back to the cataloguePlant id · fecf3285-fb99-44bf-9e4a-1987abbd691f
Decision aid
Choosing between Old Witch Grass and something else?
Compare with another plant

Continue reading

❦❦❦❦
Endpaper · archive updates

Get archive updates

Occasional email when substantial new content lands — plant profiles, seasonal growing notes, folk-remedy additions. Free, no tracking, unsubscribe anytime.

Newsletter returning soon.
We are rebuilding the update list around a lightweight editorial workflow. New dispatches will resume after the next content review cycle.
iCare notes