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Grassy-Leaved Sweet Flag Acorus gramineus

Phonetic Spelling
AH-kor-us gram-IN-ee-us
Description

Acorus gramineus is not a grass but is grown as an ornamental grass for its foliage. Acorus gramineus grows well in many conditions including wet, boggy sites and actually prefers damp soil. This plant can handle up to 4 inches of standing water; it does not perform well in dry soils. Even though Acorus gramineus likes full sun, it does not like the heat: make sure that it can have shade in the afternoon or even just dappled sunlight to avoid the intensity of the afternoon sun if the climate is quite hot. When planting, space 8-12 inches apart. This plant spreads by rhizomes. 

Meaning behind the name: The common name insinuates that the plant is sweet-smelling, which they are (at least when they are crushed). Gramineus means grass in Latin.

Family Change: This plant has its own family group (Acoraceae) though it used to be in the Arum family.

Native to: eastern China (specifically, China, Japan, Korea, India, Thailand, Myanmar, and the Philippines)

Insect, Disease, or Other Plant Problems: Insect and disease problems are not a problem for this plant. However, if soils are dry, issues can arouse (such as scorching).

Possible locations to plant: Acorus gramineus can be planted to the side of streams, bogs, ponds, in woodlands, along water banks, in rock gardens, for foundation plants, accent plants, or even along a border front.  Great for an edging groundcover.  Good container plant if kept moist.  

Plants with similar conditions: Carex

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Minimus aureus'
  • 'Oborozuki'
  • 'Ogon'
  • 'Variegatus'
'Minimus aureus', 'Oborozuki', 'Ogon', 'Variegatus'
Tags:
#evergreen#full sun tolerant#small spaces#yellow flowers#lawn alternative#ornamental grass#foundation planting#groundcover#spring interest#partial shade tolerant#HS302#container plant#th-smell
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Minimus aureus'
  • 'Oborozuki'
  • 'Ogon'
  • 'Variegatus'
'Minimus aureus', 'Oborozuki', 'Ogon', 'Variegatus'
Tags:
#evergreen#full sun tolerant#small spaces#yellow flowers#lawn alternative#ornamental grass#foundation planting#groundcover#spring interest#partial shade tolerant#HS302#container plant#th-smell
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Acorus
    Species:
    gramineus
    Family:
    Acoraceae
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    erosion, wet soil
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Semi-evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Erect
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Drainage:
    Frequent Standing Water
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Fruit Description:
    After flowers bloom, red berries that are fleshy appear.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Insignificant
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Spike
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Size:
    3-6 inches
    Flower Description:
    These small, lateral flowers are green and yellow, blooming in mid-spring/ summer (around May to June) on a spadix that is about 3 inches long (2-4 inches).
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Semi-evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    In general, Acorus gramineus's leaves are 1/4 inch wide, 6-12 inches long (but may be up to 18 inches long), narrow, linear, shiny/glossy, erect, smell sweet (fragrant), may be dark green, and speads by roots. This plant is grown for foliage. which smells sweet. Acorus gramineus 'Oborozuki' has long, arching downward, narrow, light green leaves (similar to grass).
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Naturalized Area
    Slope/Bank
    Small Space
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Rain Garden
    Rock Garden
    Water Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Foundation Planting
    Mass Planting
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Erosion
    Wet Soil