Lot #1 in one container.

Cattails (Typha) are tall, wetland perennial plants recognized by their iconic brown, cigar-shaped flower spikes and long, flat, strap-like leaves.

First sold to us as Dwarf Cattail. They are zone hardy to minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit. We have had the mother plant for close to ten years kept outside year-round in a shallow bucket buried in the ground filled with water that freezes solid in the winter.

Key Characteristics

·         Height: Grows up to 4 feet tall depending on the specific environment and species.

·         Appearance: Features a distinct "hot dog on a stick" floral head, where fuzzy brown female flowers sit below a temporary yellow male spike.

·         Habitat: Thrives in shallow water, marshes, pond edges, ditches, and wet meadows.

·         Growth: Spreads rapidly via creeping underground stems called rhizomes and wind-dispersed seeds.

Uses and Benefits

·         Wildlife Value: Provides vital nesting cover for birds like red-winged blackbirds and shelter for aquatic animals.

·         Ecosystem Services: Acts as a natural water purifier by absorbing excess nutrients and stabilizing shorelines to prevent soil erosion.

·         Edible Parts: Every part of the plant is edible; you can learn more about harvesting options from the Native Foods Nursery, including tender spring shoots, pollen for flour, and starchy roots.

Garden and Care Tips

·         Sunlight: Requires full sun to partial shade.

·         Water: Prefers wet soil or standing water up to 12 inches deep.

·         Containment: Recommended to plant in submerged tubs or containers in backyard ponds because they are aggressive colonizers that can crowd out other plants.