creeping spike rush
Eleocharis palustris
Cycle:
Perennial
Watering:
Frequent
Propagation:
Division,Seed Propagation,Cutting,Layering Propagation
Hardiness Zone:
3 - 8
Flowers:
Greenish-brown Flowers
Sun:
Full sun,part shade
Growth Rate:
High
Maintenance:
Low
Drought Tolerant:
Yes
Salt Tolerant:
Yes
Care Level:
Moderate
watering
Water creeping spike rush deeply and regularly. During its growing season, water it 1 to 2 times a week, giving it 1 to 2 inches of water each time. In hotter climates, water should be increased to 3 times a week in the summer months. In winter months, when the plant goes dormant, water it only once a month. Ensure that the soil is always moist but not waterlogged.
sunlight
Creeping Spike Rush (Eleocharis palustris) grows best in full sun to light shade. It needs at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight per day to thrive. The best time of day for sunlight is the mid- to late morning, because this is when the sun is most intense.
pruning
For best growth, Eleocharis palustris should be pruned annually in early to mid-spring. Pruning should remove all dead foliage and any dieback from the winter season. Trimming the stems will help promote bushiness and new growth, however, it is not necessary to remove much of the foliage for a creeping spike rush. If the plant is becoming too bushy, any weak branches or excess foliage can be cut back. As this species is known to spread rapidly, it is a good idea to cut back the stems close to the ground to encourage more stems to grow in the same spot. Additionally, removing flower heads will prevent the rush from going to seed and taking over the area. Taking care not to damage any of the new shoots when pruning, snip several centimeters back from the new growth. Trimming can be done with hand pruners or even shears.
