Schoenoplectus
( skee - no - PLEK - tus )
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At-A-Glance InformationCommonly known as Club Rush, Bull Rush, or Tule, this genus includes perennial clump-forming wetland plants which need full sun to light shade and ample water to perform well in the landscape. Club Rushes are native to temperate and tropical regions across North America, South America, Eurasia, Africa, and Australia. These grasses form upright clumps 2 to 4 feet tall comprised of hollow, leafless stalks that are banded with light yellow stipes. Markings will fade in strong sun. Use Schoenoplectus in the landscape as architectural plants, erosion control, or accents in mixed beds and borders. They are commonly included in wildlife, native, and rain gardens and can also be added to bioswales or grown in containers.
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Schoenoplectus Species and Varietals
The genus Schoenoplectus includes 34 species and is a member of the plant family Cyperaceae. The grasses in this genus are closely related to those in Carex (Sedge), Cyperus (Nutsedge) and Eleocharis (Spike Rush). The species in this genus are suited for growing in USDA hardiness zones 3-10, though this varies somewhat depending on the species cultivated. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
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Schoenoplectus acutus (Scirpus acutus, Shcoenoplectus lacustris, Scirpus lacustris subsp. acutus) (Tule, Common Tule, Hardstem Tule, Tule Rush, Hardstem Bulrush, Viscid Bulrush) This species is native to freshwater marshes all over North America. They reach up to 3 to 10 feet tall at maturity with long, grasslike leaves and clusters of pale brownish flowers. Individual plants grow in thick upright clumps that expand into dense colonies via thick underground rhizomes. They will aggressively spread in shallow water, but are not considered invasive. |
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Schoenoplectus californicus (California Bulrush, Southern Bulrush, Giant Bulrush, Tule) This rhizomatous water plant grows well in marshy areas and is native to the southern and western United States as well as Mexico, Central America, Easter Island, and the Falkland Islands. These plants produce tall, thin dark green stems and bristly tan to brown flowers and reach up to 3 to 13 feet tall at maturity. Spreads to form clumps. This species is considered invasive in New Zealand and various Pacific Islands, including Hawai'i. |
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Schoenoplectus lacustris (Common Club Rush) This species is native to Europe, Asia, and southern Africa, and reaches up to 11 feet tall with dark to mid-green stems. Flower spikelets are brown to tan. This species has a few named garden ornamental cultivars, including 'Albescens' (also called White Rush, with variegated cream and green stems and foliage) and 'Zebrinus' (pictured, also called Zebra Rush, with horizontal yellow-cream bands across green stems to 3-5 feet tall). |
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Caring for Schoenoplectus
Schoenoplectus species are native to tropical and temperate regions around the world, and can be grown outdoors in similar conditions. These plants are typically purchased as starts, live plugs, or seeds. Bulrushes prefer to be situated in a space in the garden that receives full sun; ideally, they should be getting between 6 and 8 hours of sun each day for best growth, but can take partial shade in warm climates. Ensure that soil is rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 5.2 and 8.5 (acidic to alkaline). The best substrate mix for Schoenoplectus plants is a mix of two parts peat, one part loam, and one part sand. When grown in outdoor water features, many gardeners choose to place these plants in a submerged container filled with this substrate mix. This will ensure the plant roots are in sufficient substrate for growth as well as discourage the plant from spreading too aggressively in the landscape. They are aquatic plants, and leaf tips will become brown if roots are allowed to dry out. If Schoenoplectus plants are situated in a space that is not consistently moist, they will need to be watered daily.
Schoenoplectus plants do not need to be fertilized. To prune, simply remove any dead, damaged, diseased parts and remove spent flowering heads as they fade to clean them up. To discourage re-seeding, remove flowering heads when they form. If you will be collecting seeds for propagation or flowering heads for flower arrangements, make sure to leave some on plants to mature. Plants can be cut back to ground level in fall or early springtime in areas where the above-ground plant parts die back yearly due to cooler temperatures. These plants can become top-heavy; submerged containers can be weighed down with stones to prevent plants from toppling over into the water. Schoenoplectus plants are perennials in their preferred zones, but are treated as annuals elsewhere, discarded at the end of the growing season and replaced in the next. They can alternatively be grown in pots in cooler zones and brought into a sheltered, warm space over the cooler months of the year. After a few years, divide plants to ensure ongoing health. For instructions on how to divide Schoenoplectus plants, see the Propagation section below.
Caring for Schoenoplectus in Containers
Schoenoplectus plants can easily be grown in containers outdoors, which gives gardeners in cooler zones (below USDA zone 9) the option of growing them outdoors for a portion of the year. First, fill a nursery pot with a potting mix that is two parts peat, one part loam, and one part sand. Soak tubers for 24 hours and then plant them about 3 inches under the soil surface. Place the nursery pot within another, larger container that does not have drainage holes in the bottom and is water-retentive. Slowly fill the larger pot with water, and weigh down the nursery pot with rocks if necessary to keep it upright. Place the container in a space that receives full sun; ideally, they should be getting between 6 and 8 hours of sun each day for best growth, but can take partial shade in warm climates. Prune as needed to remove dead, damaged, or browning plant parts and ensure that the water level stays above the top of the nursery pot at all times. Schoenoplectus are aquatic plants, and leaf tips will become brown if roots become even slightly dried out. When cooler temperatures come around, move the container indoors to keep plants alive. Schoenoplectus can also be treated as an annual, pulled at the end of each growing season and replaced in the next. After a few years, divide plants to ensure ongoing health. For instructions on how to divide Schoenoplectus plants, see the Propagation section below.
Harvesting Schoenoplectus
Schoenoplectus plants are considered edible, and can be harvested for their shoots and stalks, rhizome roots, pollen, or seeds. Rhizomes are typically harvested in late fall or winter through early spring, when the carbohydrate and sugar reserves are highest and the plant is dormant. Remove the growing container from under the water, and using a fork or trowel, loosen the soil around the base of the plant. Pull the plant up, and then sift through the soil to reveal the rhizome roots. Rinse to remove dirt and debris. The roots can be used raw or dried. To dry them, leave tubers in a cool area with good ventilation for a few weeks.
Disclaimer: Information contained on this website is strictly and categorically intended as a reference to be used in conjunction with experts in your area. Foraging and consumption of plant parts should never begin without the guidance and approval of a local plant specialist. The providers of this website accept no liability for the use or misuse of information contained in this website.
Schoenoplectus plants are also cultivated for their interesting flowering and seed heads, which are added to fresh flower arrangements for a wispy but dramatic firework-type effect. They have durable, moisture-loving stems and add volume, texture, and a modern feel to arrangements. Schoenoplectus plants are in flower generally from summer through fall (June to September). They are harvested when the flower inflorescences are mature, brown and dry. The best time of day to harvest is in the morning, after dew has dried but before the heat of the day sets in. Using clean, sharp shears, cut stems near the base and immediately drop them in a bucket of cool water to prevent wilting. Keep cut stems in a cool environment to maintain quality. Schoenoplectus typically lasts for between 10 and 14 days or more in a vase.
Schoenoplectus plants do not need to be fertilized. To prune, simply remove any dead, damaged, diseased parts and remove spent flowering heads as they fade to clean them up. To discourage re-seeding, remove flowering heads when they form. If you will be collecting seeds for propagation or flowering heads for flower arrangements, make sure to leave some on plants to mature. Plants can be cut back to ground level in fall or early springtime in areas where the above-ground plant parts die back yearly due to cooler temperatures. These plants can become top-heavy; submerged containers can be weighed down with stones to prevent plants from toppling over into the water. Schoenoplectus plants are perennials in their preferred zones, but are treated as annuals elsewhere, discarded at the end of the growing season and replaced in the next. They can alternatively be grown in pots in cooler zones and brought into a sheltered, warm space over the cooler months of the year. After a few years, divide plants to ensure ongoing health. For instructions on how to divide Schoenoplectus plants, see the Propagation section below.
Caring for Schoenoplectus in Containers
Schoenoplectus plants can easily be grown in containers outdoors, which gives gardeners in cooler zones (below USDA zone 9) the option of growing them outdoors for a portion of the year. First, fill a nursery pot with a potting mix that is two parts peat, one part loam, and one part sand. Soak tubers for 24 hours and then plant them about 3 inches under the soil surface. Place the nursery pot within another, larger container that does not have drainage holes in the bottom and is water-retentive. Slowly fill the larger pot with water, and weigh down the nursery pot with rocks if necessary to keep it upright. Place the container in a space that receives full sun; ideally, they should be getting between 6 and 8 hours of sun each day for best growth, but can take partial shade in warm climates. Prune as needed to remove dead, damaged, or browning plant parts and ensure that the water level stays above the top of the nursery pot at all times. Schoenoplectus are aquatic plants, and leaf tips will become brown if roots become even slightly dried out. When cooler temperatures come around, move the container indoors to keep plants alive. Schoenoplectus can also be treated as an annual, pulled at the end of each growing season and replaced in the next. After a few years, divide plants to ensure ongoing health. For instructions on how to divide Schoenoplectus plants, see the Propagation section below.
Harvesting Schoenoplectus
Schoenoplectus plants are considered edible, and can be harvested for their shoots and stalks, rhizome roots, pollen, or seeds. Rhizomes are typically harvested in late fall or winter through early spring, when the carbohydrate and sugar reserves are highest and the plant is dormant. Remove the growing container from under the water, and using a fork or trowel, loosen the soil around the base of the plant. Pull the plant up, and then sift through the soil to reveal the rhizome roots. Rinse to remove dirt and debris. The roots can be used raw or dried. To dry them, leave tubers in a cool area with good ventilation for a few weeks.
Disclaimer: Information contained on this website is strictly and categorically intended as a reference to be used in conjunction with experts in your area. Foraging and consumption of plant parts should never begin without the guidance and approval of a local plant specialist. The providers of this website accept no liability for the use or misuse of information contained in this website.
Schoenoplectus plants are also cultivated for their interesting flowering and seed heads, which are added to fresh flower arrangements for a wispy but dramatic firework-type effect. They have durable, moisture-loving stems and add volume, texture, and a modern feel to arrangements. Schoenoplectus plants are in flower generally from summer through fall (June to September). They are harvested when the flower inflorescences are mature, brown and dry. The best time of day to harvest is in the morning, after dew has dried but before the heat of the day sets in. Using clean, sharp shears, cut stems near the base and immediately drop them in a bucket of cool water to prevent wilting. Keep cut stems in a cool environment to maintain quality. Schoenoplectus typically lasts for between 10 and 14 days or more in a vase.
Propagation
Schoenoplectus plants are best propagated by division, though they can also be grown from seed. For instructions on how to propagate Schoenoplectus, or Bulrush plants, follow the instructions below:
Propagating Schoenoplectus by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, and fresh soil (two parts peat, one part loam, and one part sand is ideal). Division is best done in very early spring, and needs to be done every few years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance. To propagate by division, follow these steps:
Propagating Schoenoplectus by Seed
Propagating Schoenoplectus by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, and fresh soil (two parts peat, one part loam, and one part sand is ideal). Division is best done in very early spring, and needs to be done every few years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance. To propagate by division, follow these steps:
- Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the rhizome roots. Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
- Start to tease apart the roots with your fingers. Once the roots are untangled, separate your plant into segments, ensuring that each one has at least one thick root section attached.
- Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. You can either bring in new soil or simply amend your existing soil with compost to complete this task. Then, plant your divisions and water thoroughly.
- Resume regular care.
Propagating Schoenoplectus by Seed
- Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a container, a pot or tray, potting medium, and a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for Schoenoplectus seed germination is a light blend of two parts peat, one part loam, and one part sand.
- Harvest your seeds by clipping off multiple brown, brittle seed heads off of plants in late summer or fall. Place them in a paper bag or lay them on a tray, and allow them to fully dry out.
- Get your container prepared. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch under the soil surface. Cover them lightly with soil and water with a spray bottle. Place the sown seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 2-4 weeks from sowing.
- Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet. Keep your seedling in an area with bright light and temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays wet until the following spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when the seedling can be hardened off and then planted outdoors or indoors.
Problems and Pests
Certain species of Schoenoplectus are considered invasive in some regions; see the species descriptions above for more information. Check with local authorities before planting. Schoenoplectus grasses, although typically resilient, are susceptible to developing issues with the following pests and diseases in the garden:
- Aphids
- Mealybugs
- Snails & Slugs
- Wildlife Grazing
Gallery
Schoenoplectus in a formal fountain alongside Water Lilies.
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These plants produce decorative brown-tan flowers and seed heads.
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These plants will quickly spread to form colonies in waterlogged soils.
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Videos
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Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 596, Schoenoplectus lacustris tabernaemontani 'Zebrinus' (Zebra Rush).
