Lizard's Tail Plant Care
Saururus cernuus L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Saururus cernuus is a species of herbaceous perennial plant.
Every 3–4 days
Part shade to full shade
50–80°F
60–80%
At a glance
How do you care for Lizard's Tail?
Water Lizard's Tail every 3–4 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it part shade to full shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C) and 60–80% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Lizard's Tail?
Lizard's Tail (Saururus cernuus) belongs to the Saururaceae family within the Saururus genus. Lizard's Tail is also known as Swamp Lily, Water-dragon.
Lizard's Tail displays a clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Lizard's Tail produces white, bottlebrush-like flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Lizard's Tail?
Saururus cernuus requires watering every 3–4 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 3–4 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Lizard's Tail Need?
Lizard's Tail thrives in part shade to full shade. The optimal light range is 100–500 lux. Avoid placing Lizard's Tail in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Part shade to full shade
100–500 lux
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Lizard's Tail Prefer?
Saururus cernuus grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Lizard's Tail prefers humidity levels of 60–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
60–80%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Lizard's Tail?
Rich, moist soil with good organic content and excellent drainage. Good drainage is essential for Lizard's Tail to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Lizard's Tail?
Feed Lizard's Tail 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 Lizard's Tail?
Repot every 2-3 years in early 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 Lizard's Tail?
Lizard's Tail can be propagated through division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to chinese lizard's tail plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Lizard's Tail Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Lizard's Tail, 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 Lizard's Tail?
Lizard's Tail 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 Lizard's Tail Need?
Lizard's Tail grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Lizard's Tail as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Lizard's Tail 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 Saururus genus — compare its care with other Saururus species on PlantoScan.
Saururus is part of the Saururaceae plant family — browse all Saururaceae genera and species.
Lizard's Tail copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Saururus cernuus L., family Saururaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. 1: 341. 1753 [1 May 1753]) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Lizard's Tail, 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 12a, 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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