Narrow-leaved Cattail
Typha angustifolia
Also listed as Typha elatior, Typha gracilis
Also known as Lesser Cattail, Lesser Reedmace, Cattail
Climate Match for your location
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A tall, slender marsh plant with narrow, blade-like leaves and distinctive brown, cigar-shaped flower spikes. It thrives in wetlands and shallow water and is commonly used in water gardens and constructed wetlands.
Why grow it
Narrow-leaved cattail is more compact than common cattail (Typha latifolia), making it better suited to smaller wetland gardens and constructed treatment systems where space is limited. It establishes readily in shallow water and tolerates a wider range of water depths, from seasonally wet margins to permanently inundated zones. University extension services recommend it for erosion control and water filtration in appropriate climates, though regional restrictions should be verified before planting.
Watch out for
This plant spreads vigorously through rhizomes and can fill in available space quickly, requiring deliberate management if you want to maintain open water areas or prevent it from overtaking neighboring plantings. Harvest flower spikes before they fully mature and dry if you want to prevent abundant seed dispersal.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Typhaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
North America, Europe, Asia
Native to: Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, 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, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming
Seasonality
Bloom Season
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
- Propagation
A tall, slender marsh plant with narrow, blade-like leaves and distinctive brown, cigar-shaped flower spikes. It thrives in wetlands and shallow water and is commonly used in water gardens and constructed wetlands.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Narrow-leaved Cattail grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Narrow-leaved cattail is more compact than common cattail (Typha latifolia), making it better suited to smaller wetland gardens and constructed treatment systems where space is limited. It establishes readily in shallow water and tolerates a wider range of water depths, from seasonally wet margins to permanently inundated zones. University extension services recommend it for erosion control and water filtration in appropriate climates, though regional restrictions should be verified before planting.
Watch out for
This plant spreads vigorously through rhizomes and can fill in available space quickly, requiring deliberate management if you want to maintain open water areas or prevent it from overtaking neighboring plantings. Harvest flower spikes before they fully mature and dry if you want to prevent abundant seed dispersal.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Typhaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
North America, Europe, Asia
Native to: Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, 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, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming
Seasonality
Bloom Season
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
- Propagation
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