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Acorus calamus (Sweet flag)
1 hour care
per year
per year
0.75m
Max height
Max height
0.6m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Acorus calamus
Other names
Sweet flag, Flagroot, Sweet cane, Calamus, Sweet grass, Sweetroot, Sweet rush
Genus
Acorus Acorus
Species
A. calamus - A. calamus is a clump-forming, spreading, moisture-loving, deciduous perennial with aromatic, sword-shaped, occasionally crimped, mid-green leaves and insignificant, spike-like spadices of tiny, greenish-white flowers in summer.
Acorus calamus is: Semi evergreen
Habit
Clump-forming
Flower
Greenish-white, Insignificant or absent in Summer
Foliage
Mid-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
General care
Pruning
In summer, cut out any dead leaves and remove faded flower spikes.
Propagation
Divide every 2-3 years to maintain vigour.
Propagation methods
Division
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Where to grow
Acorus calamus (Sweet flag) will reach a height of 0.75m and a spread of 0.6m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Aquatic, Bog garden, Containers, Cottage/Informal, Low Maintenance, Waterside
Cultivation
Grow at pond margins in very moist or wet soil in sun. Tolerates partial shade.
Soil type
Clay, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Boggy damp conditions, Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Acorus calamus
Other names
Sweet flag, Flagroot, Sweet cane, Calamus, Sweet grass, Sweetroot, Sweet rush
Genus
Acorus Acorus
Species
A. calamus - A. calamus is a clump-forming, spreading, moisture-loving, deciduous perennial with aromatic, sword-shaped, occasionally crimped, mid-green leaves and insignificant, spike-like spadices of tiny, greenish-white flowers in summer.
Native to
Asia, Eastern Europe
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Habit
Clump-forming
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Colour
Flower
Greenish-white, Insignificant or absent in Summer
Foliage
Mid-green in All seasons
General care
Pruning
In summer, cut out any dead leaves and remove faded flower spikes.
Propagation
Divide every 2-3 years to maintain vigour.
Propagation methods
Division
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Acorus calamus (Sweet flag) will reach a height of 0.75m and a spread of 0.6m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Aquatic, Bog garden, Containers, Cottage/Informal, Low Maintenance, Waterside
Cultivation
Grow at pond margins in very moist or wet soil in sun. Tolerates partial shade.
Soil type
Clay, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Boggy damp conditions, Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Clay, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Boggy damp conditions, Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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