Common Spikerush Plant Care
Eleocharis palustris (L.) Roem. & Schult.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Eleocharis palustris, the common spike-rush, creeping spike-rush or marsh spike-rush, is a species of mat-forming perennial flowering plants in the sedge family Cyperaceae. It grows in wetlands in Europe, North Africa, northern and central Asia and North America.
Every 2–4 days
Full sun to part shade
60–80°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Common Spikerush?
Water Common Spikerush every 2–4 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to part shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Common Spikerush?
Common Spikerush (Eleocharis palustris) belongs to the Cyperaceae family within the Eleocharis genus. Common Spikerush is also known as Marsh Spike-rush, Creeping Spike-rush.
Common Spikerush displays a grass-like, clumping growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 0.5 ft. Common Spikerush produces inconspicuous small brown spikelets.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Common Spikerush?
Eleocharis palustris requires watering every 2–4 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 2–4 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Common Spikerush Need?
Common Spikerush thrives in full sun to part shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to part shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Common Spikerush Prefer?
Eleocharis palustris grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Common Spikerush prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Common Spikerush?
Soggy, nutrient-rich soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Common Spikerush to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Common Spikerush?
Feed Common Spikerush every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Common Spikerush?
Divide and repot every 1-2 years in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Common Spikerush?
Common Spikerush can be propagated through division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to purple spikerush plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Common Spikerush Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Common Spikerush, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Common Spikerush?
Common Spikerush is susceptible to aphids, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Common Spikerush Need?
Common Spikerush grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow Common Spikerush as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Common Spikerush is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Eleocharis genus — compare its care with other Eleocharis species on PlantoScan.
Eleocharis is part of the Cyperaceae plant family — browse all Cyperaceae genera and species.
Common Spikerush thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Eleocharis Species
Other Eleocharis species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Eleocharis palustris (L.) Roem. & Schult., family Cyperaceae (first published in Syst. Veg., ed. 15 bis 2: 151 (1817)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Common Spikerush, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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