Alphabetical Plant Listing

Saururus cernuus (Lizard Tail)

Lizard's Tail, Lizard Tail, Breastweed, Water Dragon, Swamp Lily, American Swamp Lily


Saururus cernuus (Lizard Tail) is a rhizomatous, marginal aquatic perennial boasting erect, branching stems clothed with dark green, heart-shaped leaves, 3-6 in. long (7-15 cm). Blooming for about a month in spring or summer (depending on geographic areas), slender, nodding spikes of tiny white flowers resembling lizard tails are on display. They give way to small green fruits. The flowers, leaves and roots exude a pleasant citrus aroma. Lizard tail is a great spreading groundcover for moist soils, shallow water, and containers.

  • Grows up to 12-24 in. tall and wide (30-60 cm). Unrestrained rhizomes will spread to form colonies.
  • Thrives in full sun or part shade in boggy ground or pond margin in water no deeper than 4 in. (10 cm). While the preference is part shade, this plant will flower in full shade.
  • Great as a groundcover or for water gardens, bog gardens, along ponds and streams or containers.
  • Virtually pest and disease free. Deer resistant.
  • Propagate by division in spring. Divide regularly to maintain vigor. Cut back after flowering.
  • Native to eastern North America, from Ontario, Quebec and southern New England south to Florida and Texas.

Buy Saururus cernuus (Lizard Tail)

Requirements

Hardiness 3 – 10
Heat Zones 5 – 10
Plant Type Aquatic Plants, Perennials
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Height 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm)
Spread 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm)
Spacing 24" (60cm)
Water Needs High
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Poorly Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Showy
Native Plants United States, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Northeast, Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Southwest, Texas
Tolerance Deer, Wet Soil
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Bog Gardens, Ground Covers, Patio and Containers, Ponds and Streams, Water Gardens
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow

Buy Plants


By Nikolay Kurzenko, mccw thissen, Shutterstock

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.


Requirements

Hardiness 3 – 10
Heat Zones 5 – 10
Plant Type Aquatic Plants, Perennials
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Height 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm)
Spread 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm)
Spacing 24" (60cm)
Water Needs High
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Poorly Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Showy
Native Plants United States, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Northeast, Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Southwest, Texas
Tolerance Deer, Wet Soil
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Bog Gardens, Ground Covers, Patio and Containers, Ponds and Streams, Water Gardens
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow

Plant Calculator

How many Saururus cernuus (Lizard Tail) do I need for my garden?

%
ft
ft

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Saururus cernuus (Lizard Tail)

Find your Hardiness Zone

Find your Climate Zone

Find your Heat Zone

Join Gardenia.net

Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

Join now and start creating your dream garden!

Create a New Collection

Optional. For your reference.


Move Selected Plants to a Different Collection


Delete Collection

This field is required.

Rename Collection

This field is required.