Narrow-leaved cotton-grass
Eriophorum angustifolium · Cyperaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant narrow-leaved cotton-grass: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Scientific name
- Eriophorum angustifolium
- Family
- Cyperaceae
- Type
- Perennial herbaceous plant
- Foliage
- Deciduous, finely linear
- Flowering
- Spring to early summer (April-June)
- Mature size
- 30 to 60 cm in height
- Hardiness
- Very hardy, down to -20°C
- Origin
- Boreal and temperate regions of Europe and Asia
Care
Soil and environment
Cottongrass thrives in peaty, moist and acidic soils. It flourishes in marshy areas, near peatlands or in wetland habitats. Well-drained yet consistently moist soil is ideal for its development.
Watering and humidity
Keep the soil very moist to wet at all times. This plant dislikes dryness and prefers an environment where water sits slightly. In pots, water generously and never allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
Light exposure
Choose a sunny to partially shaded location. Cottongrass tolerates shaded areas in cold regions well, but will flower more abundantly in full sun. It appreciates open, well-lit environments.
Pruning and tidying
No pruning is strictly necessary. In late winter or early spring, you can cut back dry growth to a few centimeters above the soil before new growth begins. The fluffy spikelets are highly ornamental: keep them for their decorative appeal.
Nutrition and fertilizer
This plant needs no fertilizer in natural conditions. In pots, a limited application of compost or acidic peat in spring is sufficient. Avoid rich mineral fertilizers that can disturb it.
Health and common problems
Cottongrass is very resistant to disease. Problems typically arise in soil that is too dry or poorly drained. Watch for root rot by ensuring adequate moisture without sterile water stagnation.
Did you know?
The white, fluffy spikelets of narrow-leaved cottongrass resemble tiny bundles of cotton or padding. Long ago, northern populations harvested these silky hairs to use as tinder or natural insulation material. This plant thus stands at the heart of the ecological and material history of boreal peatlands.
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.