lizard tail
Lizard tail (Saururus cernuus) might also be known as water dragon, but this plant is a friendly and charming addition for backyard water gardens. Because it’s an American native, lizard tail adapts well to climates across the country. In fact, lizard tail is remarkably tough — the plant thrives in full sun to part shade, and is equally happy in moist soil to water depths of about 6 inches. Although some books say this plant won’t tolerate freezing, we’ve had ours come back reliably every spring, despite long and icy winters.
Because it’s so adaptable, you can really grow lizard tail just about anywhere in or near your pond. It’s also a great choice for seasonally boggy areas, stream beds or drainage ditches. Since lizard tail is a perennial, it will reliably come back every spring in zones 4 - 11.
lizard tail flower
Lizard tail blooms for a month or longer every summer. The tiny white flowers are borne on a slender spike, which often curves at the tip. The flowers might not be the showiest in our pond, but there’s something delightful about their understated appearance. Bees and other pollinating insects share our affection for lizard tail flowers, and visit them regularly during the summer-long blooming season.
This adaptable plant can be potted in any size planting basket, or can be allowed to establish itself freely in dirt-bottomed ponds or streams. Lizard tail is not aggressive, but it will spread — use a planting basket if you want to confine your plant to one specific area within your backyard pond.
Our favorite place for lizard tail is towards the back, or tucked into shady corners. There, the plant thrives where others wouldn’t, providing a robust green backdrop to our showier pond plants.
Visit our lizard tail product page for more information, or to order lizard tail for your pond.
Tags: lizard tail, water dragon
[...] Lizard’s Tail. This American native will quickly establish in shaded areas, filling in dark corners and providing a great background for other plants. The white flower stalks are present on lizard’s tail throughout most of the summer. Read our full blog post on lizard’s tail for more information. [...]
Is there a way to get rid of this plant once it has firmly established itself? Mine is agressively taking over my pond! I keep pulling it out, but to no avail…it’s keeps coming back. I started with a 4 inch potted plant in a basket….it is SO invasive now. Looking for a way to kill the plant, but not the fish. Thanks!
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I purchased a Lizard Tail for my small Fish Pond this year. I do not get a lot of sun in this area and the Lizard Tail seems to be doing very well. Other aquatic plants do not thrive for me because of the shade. But, I have not seen any flowers on this plant. It is close to the middle of July. Otherwise, the plant is growing and doing very well. It is in a pot, sitting in the water on one of the ledges.