How to Grow and Care for Narrowleaf cattail

Narrowleaf cattail, also known as Lesser bulrush, Narrow-Leaved Cat-Tail, Small Reedmace, Lesser reedmace, Soft Flag

Narrowleaf cattail thrives in wetland environments and requires minimal maintenance, making it an easy-care plant. It's imperative to provide consistent moisture, replicating its natural habitat for optimal growth. Narrowleaf cattail benefits significantly from full sun exposure but can also tolerate partial shade. Special care should include monitoring for aggressive growth, as narrowleaf cattail can spread quickly and may require management to keep it from overwhelming a space.

Watering schedule: Once per day

Sunlight Requirements: Full sun

In This Article

Planting and Growing Narrowleaf cattail

Toughness	High
Care Level	Medium
Care Difficulty	Easy
Lifespan	Perennial
Watering Schedule	Once per day
Sunlight Requirements	Full sun
Soil Type	Garden Soil
Soil pH	6-7.5
Hardiness Zones	3-7

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More General Info About Narrowleaf cattail

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Narrowleaf cattail is a perennial aquatic plant that stands 3 to 6 feet (91 to 183 cm) tall with very narrow, flattened leaves measuring around 1/4 to 1/2 inch (6 to 13 mm) in width. Its distinctive flower spikes feature two sections of small flowers: male flowers on the upper part and female flowers on the lower portion, separated by a gap of up to 2 inches (5 cm). The fruiting bodies are cigar-shaped and range from 2 to 6 inches (5 to 15 cm) in length, carrying soft, downy seeds which enable its spread. It thrives in full sun to partial shade in a variety of wetland habitats.