Species creeping spike rush
white-brown flowers on light-green stems

creeping spike rush

Eleocharis palustris

Creeping spike rush (Eleocharis palustris) is an amazing plant species which can be found in various wetland habitats. It has slender, greenish-brown stems that creep along the ground and can reach heights of up to 3 feet tall. Its small white flowers blossom in the summer months, producing inconspicuous fruits which contain a wealth of hidden seeds. As a floating aquatic plant, it helps to clean the water, and also provides food and shelter to many aquatic creatures, such as fish and insects. With its ability to withstand harsh conditions, this hardy plant offers year-round beauty and is an ideal botanical choice to bring life to any water garden.

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.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Creeping spike rush typically starts flowering in June.

Hardiness Map