Cattail

Cattails provide a tall, textured background along the margins of a water garden and also serve as perches for small birds and dragonflies. The fuzzy heads are actually seed capsules that form after the greenish flowers fade. Cattails have been proven to filter out harmful toxins from water. Their thick foliage is a haven for wildlife. One note: cattails can be aggressive spreaders in the garden.

Light:

Sun

Zones:

2-11

Plant Type:

Perennial, Water/Bog Plant

Plant Height:

To 8 feet tall

Plant Width:

Can spread indefinitely

Landscape Uses:

Containers, Beds & Borders

Special Features:

Attractive Foliage, Winter Interest, Dried Flowers, Easy to Grow

Top Varieties

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Broadleaf cattail

(Typha latifolia) grows to a height of 8 feet tall and features narrow, strap-like leaves with tall, fuzzy-headed stalks. Zones 3-11
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Narrowleaf cattail

(Typha angustifolia) forms a tall background of narrow dark blue-green leaves and fuzzy stalks. It grows 6 feet tall. Zones 2-11
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