Species lizard's tail

lizard's tail

Saururus chinensis

Lizard's Tail (Saururus chinensis) is an unusual plant native to North America. It has heart-shaped leaves and intricate white or pink blooms with unusual flexible stems. Its unique tail-like flowers give it its common name. The leaves are bright green during the summer turning to shades of red and purple in the fall. It’s perfect for adding interesting texture to any landscape, with its delicate fronds that sway gently in the breeze and contrast nicely against other low-to-the-ground foliage. It's resilient and easy to care for and requires little attention. It's sure to bring a lovely natural beauty to your garden.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Frequent

Propagation:

Division,Stem Propagation,Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

4 - 9

Flowers:

White to yellowish white Flowers

Sun:

Full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

watering

Lizard's tail should be watered regularly and evenly in order to thrive. Aim to water the plant once every 1-2 weeks. If the soil is dry to the touch, it is likely time to water. Be sure to completely saturate the soil, as the plant prefers moist soils. Make sure to not over water, as the plant can suffer from root rot. During the winter months, when the temperatures are cooler, the plant should be watered less often.

sunlight

Lizard's tail is a semi-shade plant, meaning that it prefers partial sun. For optimal growth, it should be exposed to at least 3 hours of bright morning sun per day, not direct afternoon sun, which can be too hot and dry. The best location for lizard's tail would be 1 that gets a few hours of shade during the middle of the day, allowing the plant to be exposed to the warm morning sun without the intensity of the afternoon sun.

pruning

Lizard's tail (Saururus chinensis) should be pruned after flowering concludes in the spring. To promote bushy growth, remove the faded flower heads and pinch the growing tips to encourage branching. Prune back stems that have grown too tall or become too dense for proper air circulation. Cut them back to an angled bud or set of leaves, ensuring that at least 2 sets of leaves remain after pruning. In severe cases, stems may have to be cut back nearly to the ground. For general maintenance, trim back the entire plant after flowering to shape and tidy the foliage and encourage new growth.

Season

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

Saururus chinensis typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Starts Flowering

Saururus chinensis typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Hardiness Map