Also known as Lizard Tail · Lizard's-Tail · Lizards Tail
Lizard's tail (Saururus cernuus) is a wetland perennial with distinctive drooping, tail-like flower spikes. It thrives in moist to wet conditions and shallow water.
At-a-glance light, water, soil, and growing conditions from plant data
Partial Shade to Full Sun
50% intensity
Thrives in locations receiving 4-6 hours of sunlight daily, tolerating full sun if consistently moist.
Abundant Moisture Required
100% intensity
Prefers consistently wet soil, boggy conditions, or shallow water.
Clay, Loam, Sandy, Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
50% intensity
Moderate Temperature Tolerance
50% intensity
Prefers temperatures between 18-24°C during the growing season; can tolerate cooler temperatures.
Aquatic
50% intensity
Low Feeding Needs
25% intensity
Requires minimal fertilization, especially in nutrient-rich aquatic environments.
Safety information from plant toxicity data
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Toxic for humans | No 0/5 intensity |
| Toxic for pets | No 0/5 intensity |
| Edible | No |
Key traits and growing stats from plant data
Watering, pruning, propagation, and repotting details from plant data
Lizard's tail thrives in consistently moist conditions, making it ideal for water gardens or consistently wet boggy areas. Water regularly, ensuring the soil never dries out completely.
In containers, maintain a waterlogged environment by keeping the pot submerged in a saucer of water.
Pruning is minimal and mainly cosmetic. Remove any dead or yellowing leaves as they appear to maintain the plant's tidy appearance and health.
Overgrown stems can be trimmed back to encourage bushier growth and prevent it from becoming leggy.
Lizard's tail is easily propagated by division of its rhizomes in spring or early summer. You can also propagate it from stem cuttings taken during the growing season, which will root readily in water or moist soil.
Repotting is infrequent. Saururus cernuus prefers to be slightly root-bound.
If container-grown and it outgrows its pot, repot in spring into a slightly larger container, ensuring it is placed in a position where it can maintain consistently wet soil.
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Monthly activity intensity for bloom and fruit across both hemispheres.
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Photos of Lizard's Tail (Saururus cernuus)
Common names and botanical synonyms
Botanical classification
| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Division | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Piperales |
| Family | Saururaceae |
| Genus | Saururus |
| Species | Saururus cernuus |
Similar in genus Saururus
Answers based on plant encyclopedia data
