Broadleaf Cattail
Typha latifolia
Also listed as Massula latifolia, Typha elatior
Also known as Cattail, Common Cattail, Reedmace
Climate Match for your location
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A tall, emergent wetland plant with long, strap-like leaves and distinctive brown, cylindrical seed heads. It thrives in shallow water and is commonly found in marshes, ponds, and wetland areas.
Why grow it
Typha latifolia is among the most robust and cold-hardy cattail species, establishing reliably across temperate regions where other wetland plants may struggle. Compared to narrower-leaved species like T. angustifolia, it produces denser stands and larger seed heads, making it more effective for erosion control, water filtration, and wildlife habitat in constructed wetlands and restoration projects. The rhizomes spread vigorously, which suits large-scale stabilization work but requires space and containment planning.
Watch out for
Cattail stands can become very dense over time, eventually creating monocultures that shade out other wetland flora; periodic thinning or targeted removal may be needed to maintain plant diversity. Plants grown from seed or division can take 2-3 seasons to establish as substantial stands, so young plantings may appear sparse initially. In areas with prolonged drought or where water levels drop significantly, established plants may decline or shift to drier soil conditions, altering their character.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Typhaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
North America, Europe, and Asia
Native to: Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming
Seasonality
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
A tall, emergent wetland plant with long, strap-like leaves and distinctive brown, cylindrical seed heads. It thrives in shallow water and is commonly found in marshes, ponds, and wetland areas.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Broadleaf Cattail grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Typha latifolia is among the most robust and cold-hardy cattail species, establishing reliably across temperate regions where other wetland plants may struggle. Compared to narrower-leaved species like T. angustifolia, it produces denser stands and larger seed heads, making it more effective for erosion control, water filtration, and wildlife habitat in constructed wetlands and restoration projects. The rhizomes spread vigorously, which suits large-scale stabilization work but requires space and containment planning.
Watch out for
Cattail stands can become very dense over time, eventually creating monocultures that shade out other wetland flora; periodic thinning or targeted removal may be needed to maintain plant diversity. Plants grown from seed or division can take 2-3 seasons to establish as substantial stands, so young plantings may appear sparse initially. In areas with prolonged drought or where water levels drop significantly, established plants may decline or shift to drier soil conditions, altering their character.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Typhaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
North America, Europe, and Asia
Native to: Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming
Seasonality
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
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