Species Twig Rush
White-brown flowers with green stem.

Twig Rush

Cladium mariscoides

Also Known As - Smooth Sawgrass
Twig Rush, also known as Cladium mariscoides, is a perennial wetland plant native to the southeastern United States. Its thin, stiff, rounded stems distinguish it from the other rushes and grasses that make up its environment. Its pointed leaves remain erect, and this contrasts with the lush tops of green-grained reeds. Twig Rush is covered in small white flowers from summer to fall, attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies. Its growth requires slightly acidic soils and full sun to partial shade. This plant thrives along swampy banks, providing excellent wildlife habitat for birds and aquatic animals. It also acts as natural bio-filtration for ponds and wetlands, helping to clean the water.

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Division,Seed Propagation,Cutting,Rhizome Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Growth Rate:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Invasive:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Twig Rush should be watered regularly since it prefers damp soil. During the growing season (spring-fall), water the plant at least once a week, but avoid allowing the soil to become waterlogged. During the hottest or driest parts of the summer, more frequent waterings may be required (a few times a week). During the winter months, wait to water until the soil drys out completely. When you do water, give it a good soaking so that water runs through the pot and out of the drainage holes at the bottom.

sunlight

Twig Rush (Cladium mariscoides) does best in full sun and will tolerate partial shade. The plant needs at least 5 to 6 hours of direct sunlight each day to ensure optimal growth and health. This direct sunlight should be at peak intensity (around midday). The rest of the day, Twig Rush can be kept in partial shade or indirect sunlight. This allows the plant to rest and remain healthy as the intensity of sunlight decreases and the temperatures cool.

pruning

Twig Rush should be pruned on an as-needed basis throughout the growing season. Pruning should be done in late spring or early summer, when the plant is actively growing. Prune off dead stems and branches to encourage healthy new growth and minimize overcrowding. You can also snip off excess shoots that are growing too closely together or crowding other stems. Make sure to use sharp pruning tools, and remove stems that are thin and weak and excess foliage. Be careful not to prune off too much of the stems since it can cause the plant to become weak and spread too thin. Pruning too often can also lead to weak growth.