Acorus americanus 

Home » Plants » Acorus americanus 
Main Photo Acorus Americanus 2 Acorus Americanus 3 Acorus Americanus 4 Acorus Americanus
Main Photo Acorus Americanus 2 Acorus Americanus 3 Acorus Americanus 4 Acorus Americanus

Acorus americanus

Common Name: Sweet Flag

Acorus americanus, or Sweet Flag, is a perennial wetland plant that grows between 2 to 6 feet tall. It features sword-like, aromatic leaves and produces small, greenish-yellow flowers on a spadix from late spring to early summer. Sweet Flag commonly inhabits marshes, lakes, stream banks, and wet meadows, preferring calcareous and peat soils. Traditionally, it has been utilized by Indigenous peoples for medicinal purposes and as a flavoring agent. In landscaping, Sweet Flag is employed in rain gardens and along pond edges for its ornamental foliage and ability to stabilize soil.

Characteristics

Product Form Plant, Seed
Type Forb
Sun Full Sun, Partial Sun
Soil Clay, Loam, Sand/Gravel, Peat, Calcareous
Moisture Wet, Aquatic
Average Max Height (inches) 40
Suggested Plant Spacing (inches) 12
Bloom month(s) June, July
Bloom Color or Type Green
Dominance Medium

Range Maps

Sowing Information

For most homeowners, the recommended method is to hand-broadcast seed at a minimum rate of 16–64 PLS (Pure Live Seed) ounces per acre. To ensure even coverage, broadcast the seed in perpendicular passes across the site. Grass seed should be broadcast first and lightly raked into the soil. Afterward, apply a light mulch layer using clean, seed-free straw or, preferably, our native Little Bluestem straw, available at our retail garden centers. Once mulching is complete, broadcast native wildflower seed over the area without raking it in. A good rainfall or thorough watering will provide sufficient soil contact for successful germination.

Planting Information

Dig a hole in your planting site slightly larger than the plant’s root system. When placing the plant into the hole, ensure that the soil line remains consistent with its original level in the pot. Fill in around the roots with the excavated soil, gently firming it to eliminate air pockets. Water the plant thoroughly the same day to promote successful establishment.