Common cottongrass (Eriophorum angustifolium)
Care, watering, light and tips for Common cottongrass on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Cyperaceae
- Difficulty: Demanding
- Watering: every 7 days
- Light: Partial shade
- Temperature: 10–30 °C
About Common cottongrass
Eriophorum angustifolium, commonly known as Cottongrass or Narrow-leaved Cotton-grass, is a perennial aquatic or semi-aquatic herb from the Cyperaceae family, valued for its distinctive white, cotton-like inflorescences. These soft, feathery structures, appearing in summer, give it an ethereal appearance and are ideal for adding texture and a naturalistic touch to ponds, rain gardens, or moist borders.
Native range
Cold and temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, including Europe, Asia, and North America.
Care tips
This plant thrives in consistently moist soils or shallow water (up to 15 cm deep), under full sun or partial shade. It prefers acidic to neutral, well-draining substrates, though it tolerates a wide range of soils as long as there is sufficient moisture. It is very cold-hardy. The most common mistake to avoid is insufficient watering or allowing the soil to dry out completely, as it is a plant that requires constant moisture to survive.
How to save a dying Common cottongrass
- Warning signs
- Yellowing or browning leaves from the tip, soft stems, lack of cottony blooms.
- First aid
- Move to a cooler, more humid spot, ensure consistently wet substrate. Check pH.
- What kills it
- Prolonged substrate dryness, hard or alkaline water, insufficient light.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if roots aren't completely dry or rotted; it's resilient if conditions are corrected.