Cattail Seeds (Typha latifolia) Wetland native ideal for ponds, rain gardens, and habitat restoration. Provides shelter for wildlife and natural water filtration

Minimum: 100+ Seeds

🌾 Shelter. Structure. Sustainability. • Native Wetland Perennial • Ideal for Ponds, Rain Gardens & Habitat Projects

Transform soggy soil into a thriving sanctuary with Cattail (Typha latifolia), a tall, iconic wetland native known for its sword-like leaves and unmistakable brown flower spikes. These stately perennials play a vital role in healthy ecosystems—providing cover for birds, spawning zones for amphibians, and natural water filtration in wetland environments.

Perfect for ponds, marsh edges, bioswales, and habitat restoration projects, Cattail is one of the most valuable native plants for improving water quality and supporting wildlife. Once established, it spreads by rhizomes and forms dense colonies that prevent erosion and absorb excess nutrients from the water—making it both beautiful and functional.

🌿 Why Grow Cattails (Typha latifolia)?

🪷 Excellent for Water Gardens & Edges
Creates structure and vertical interest along pond borders, ditches, and rain gardens.

🦆 Wildlife Magnet
Provides nesting material, shelter, and food for birds, frogs, turtles, and beneficial insects.

💧 Natural Water Filter
Traps sediments, absorbs pollutants, and improves water clarity in ponds and wet landscapes.

🌾 Erosion Control & Soil Stabilization
Spreading rhizomes create thick root mats that protect against shoreline erosion.

🌱 Native & Adaptable
Grows in wet, marshy soil but tolerates fluctuating water levels and brackish conditions.

🌿 How to Grow Cattail from Seed

Botanical Name: Typha latifolia
Plant Type: Perennial wetland plant
Days to Germination: 14–30 days (can be slow—patience pays off!)
Sunlight: Full sun
Soil: Wet, mucky, or shallow standing water
Seed Depth: Surface sow or lightly press into moist soil—needs light to germinate
Spacing: 12–24 inches
Height at Maturity: 5–8 feet
USDA Zones: 3–10

To start from seed, sow directly onto moist soil or shallow water in spring. Cold stratification (30–60 days in moist sand in the fridge) improves germination. Seeds can also be started indoors in trays and transplanted into a wet area once seedlings are strong.

🛠️ Growing Tips

• Best sown directly in wet soil, marsh edges, or standing water.

• Germination can take several weeks—keep seeds constantly moist and exposed to light.

• Once established, cattails spread quickly—plant thoughtfully if space is limited.

• Leave seed heads through winter for wildlife habitat and visual interest.

• Excellent in rain gardens, graywater systems, or native wetland restorations.

🌎 Perfect For:

💧 Rain Gardens & Bioswales – Filters runoff and buffers heavy rainfall
🦆 Wildlife & Pond Habitats – Essential cover for birds, frogs, fish, and more
🌾 Native Restoration – Restores balance in wetland and riparian zones
🏡 Backyard Ponds – Adds vertical texture, movement, and ecological value
🧺 Natural Landscapes – Thrives without fertilizer or pesticides

🌱 Fun Fact:
Every part of the cattail plant has been used traditionally by Indigenous communities—for food, insulation, mats, baskets, and even flour. It’s sometimes called "the supermarket of the swamp" due to its many uses!

🔒 Ecological Beauty You Can Trust

At Terra Mater Gardens, we’re committed to growing with purpose. Our Cattail Seeds (Typha latifolia) are untreated, open-pollinated, and ideal for ecological landscaping, habitat support, and clean water cultivation. Sow the seeds of restoration—and let nature do the rest.