Carex intumescens
Carex intumescens · Cyperaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant carex intumescens: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Foliage
- Evergreen, light to medium green
- Flowering
- Spring to early summer (May-June)
- Adult size
- 16–24 inches tall, 12–16 inches wide
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (down to -4 °F)
- Origin
- North America (marshy and wet areas)
- Soil type
- Moist to wet, rich in organic matter
- Exposure
- Partial shade to shade
Care
Watering and humidity
Swollen sedge thrives in constantly moist to wet soil. Keep the soil moist without letting it dry out between waterings. In containers, check moisture regularly and increase watering frequency during warm periods. This plant even appreciates a slight accumulation of water at its base.
Light exposure
Place your sedge in partial shade or dappled shade for best results. It tolerates dense shade but prefers a few hours of indirect light daily. Avoid intense direct sun, especially in warm climates.
Soil preparation and quality
Use rich, humus-based substrate that drains well but retains moisture, such as a blend of peat, potting soil, and compost. Amend regularly with compost or organic matter to maintain soil structure and fertility.
Nutrient supply
Apply a balanced fertilizer (NPK-type) in spring and early summer at moderate strength. A light annual application of well-decomposed organic fertilizer (compost) is generally enough to support this modest plant's growth.
Pruning and cleanup
Remove dried or damaged foliage in spring to encourage new leaf production. Avoid drastic pruning; simply clean out dead or unsightly parts cosmetically.
Diseases and pests
Swollen sedge is generally very resistant. In overly dry or confined environments, watch for spider mites and scale insects. Stagnant excess moisture can promote rot: ensure good air circulation and adequate drainage in containers.
Did you know?
The name "intumescens" literally means "swollen" in Latin, referring to the remarkably inflated and prominent utricles (small seed-bearing sacs) that characterize this sedge species. This distinctive morphological feature gave the plant its evocative French common name and makes it immediately recognizable at flowering time.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Blue sedgeCarex panicea
- Spring sedgeCarex caryophyllea
- Pendulous sedgeCarex pendula
- Bird's-foot SedgeCarex ornithopoda
- Gray's sedgeCarex grayi
- Strict sedgeCarex stricta
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.