Spike Rush

About Spike Rush

Spike Rush, also known as Needle Spike Rush, is a versatile and widespread wetland plant that creates a lush, lawn-like appearance in saturated soils. This diminutive perennial typically grows only 2 to 6 inches tall, forming dense, bright green mats of hair-like stems. Native across North America, it is commonly found along sandy shores, marshes, and receding waterlines. In summer, each stem is tipped with a tiny, inconspicuous brown spikelet that contains the seeds. Its rhizomatous root system makes it an excellent choice for stabilizing mud flats and providing cover for small aquatic life and amphibians. It is a cool-season grower, showing its most vigorous growth in the spring and fall. For the best results, plant Spike Rush in full sun and very wet to medium-wet soils; it can even tolerate shallow standing water. The seeds require a period of cold, moist stratification to break dormancy, mimicking the natural cycle of a wetland winter.