Broadleaf cattail (bulrush) Typha latifolia
Broadleaf cattail (bulrush) (Typha latifolia) is a deciduous perennial grass in the Typhaceae family, native to Northern hemisphere temperate wetlands. It grows 1.5–2.5 m (4.9–8.2 ft) tall and 60 cm–1 m (24 in–3.3 ft) wide, wants full sun and high water, and is hardy to about -40 °C (-40 °F). Space plants about 60 cm (24 in) apart.
Plan Broadleaf cattail (bulrush) in your garden →
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Broadleaf cattail (bulrush) at a glance
| Type | Perennial grass, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Typhaceae |
| Mature height | 1.5–2.5 m (4.9–8.2 ft) |
| Mature spread | 60 cm–1 m (24 in–3.3 ft) |
| Spacing | 60 cm (24 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance high |
| Soil pH | 5.5–8.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -40 °C (-40 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 3) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | from about June for 9–14 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | None |
| Edible | Yes: rhizome, young shoots, pollen |
| Native to | Northern hemisphere temperate wetlands |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇨🇳 China |
Is Broadleaf cattail (bulrush) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Broadleaf cattail (bulrush)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and high water.
See Broadleaf cattail (bulrush) in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden (10 plants)
- Denver Botanic Gardens (4 plants)
- New York Botanical Garden (6 plants)
- Jardin botanique de Montréal (8 plants)
Questions about Broadleaf cattail (bulrush)
- How far apart should I plant Broadleaf cattail (bulrush)?
- About 60 cm (24 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 60 cm–1 m (24 in–3.3 ft).
- Does Broadleaf cattail (bulrush) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Broadleaf cattail (bulrush) need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance high.
- How cold-hardy is Broadleaf cattail (bulrush)?
- It tolerates about -40 °C (-40 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 3.
- When does Broadleaf cattail (bulrush) flower?
- From about June for 9–14 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Broadleaf cattail (bulrush) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
- What grows well with Broadleaf cattail (bulrush)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Broadleaf cattail (bulrush). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- USDA PLANTS Database, USDA NRCS
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
Notes and assumptions
- Marginal in up to 30 cm of water; spreads aggressively by rhizomes (contain it in small ponds).
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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- Golden bamboo Phyllostachys aurea
- Switchgrass Panicum virgatum
- Little bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium
- Blue fescue Festuca glauca
- Feather reed grass 'Karl Foerster' Calamagrostis x acutiflora