Acorus Species, Sweet Flag

Acoruscalamus

Genus
Acorus (AK-or-us)
Species
calamus (KAL-uh-mus)
Synonym
Calamus aromaticus
Sun Exposure
Sun to Partial Shade
Light Shade
Partial to Full Shade
Foliage
Grown for foliage
Evergreen
Shiny/Glossy
Velvet/Fuzzy
Height
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
Spacing
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
Danger
Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Bloom Color
Green
Inconspicuous/none
Bloom Time
Late Spring/Early Summer
Other Details
Category
Ornamental Grasses and Bamboo
Perennials
Ponds and Aquatics
Water Requirements
Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings
Very high moisture needs; suitable for bogs and water gardens
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
May be a noxious weed or invasive
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
By dividing the rootball
By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)
Seed Collecting
Unblemished fruit must be significantly overripe before harvesting seed; clean and dry seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Birmingham, Alabama

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Tampa, Florida

New Orleans, Louisiana

Mason, Michigan

Mattawan, Michigan

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Frenchtown, New Jersey

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Gardener's Notes:

4
positives
2
neutrals
0
negative
Sort By:
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T
T
Birmingham, AL (Zone 8a) | August 2015 | positive

Lovely bog plant with a storied history of use in medicinal preparations and as a bittering agent in aromatic liqueurs. Germination may r...Read More

T
Palm Aire, FL | December 2013 | positive

My sweet flag has been growing well for over a year in a small pot sitting in a fountain, in partial sun, in Ft. Lauderdale. Snails have...Read More

M
Coon Rapids, MN (Zone 4a) | November 2006 | positive

This is a rapid spreading plant. I suspect it have more dry tolerate as a clump grew fine in a small non draining pot put in the ground a...Read More

F
Josephine, Arlington, TX (Zone 8a) | November 2006 | neutral

Sweet Flag, Acorus calamus, is native to Texas and other States.

T
New Orleans, LA | May 2006 | positive

This is the plant that Walt Whitman was referring to in his collection of poems "Leaves of Grass". He enjoyed eating the rhysome of the ...Read More

M
M
Benton, KY (Zone 7a) | April 2005 | neutral

Information only, I do not grow this plant.

This plant grows in water and boggy, wet soils and has iris-like leaves. The f...Read More

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