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Southern Cattail

Typha domingensis

Last reviewed: August 2026

Southern Cattail (Typha domingensis)
Photo: (c) Fabrício Mil Homens Riella, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Fabrício Mil Homens Riella

Toxicity unknown

Southern Cattail (Typha domingensis) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

96"–144" H × 6"–12" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug

Native to

AL, AR, AZ, CA and 22 more states

Pollinators

butterflies, bees

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 445 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast RangeSierra NevadaCentral California Foothills and Coastal MountainsCentral California ValleySouthern California MountainsCentral Basin and RangeMojave Basin and RangeNorth American DesertsArizona/New Mexico MountainsChihuahuan DesertsHigh PlainsSouthwestern TablelandsCentral Great PlainsGreat PlainsCross TimbersEdwards PlateauSouthern Texas PlainsTexas Blackland PrairiesEast Central Texas PlainsWestern Gulf Coastal PlainSouth Central PlainsCentral Irregular PlainsWestern Corn Belt PlainsMiddle Atlantic Coastal PlainSoutheastern PlainsMississippi Alluvial PlainSouthern Coastal PlainSouthern Florida Coastal PlainMadrean ArchipelagoSonoran Basin and RangeSouthern California/Northern Baja Coast

Southern Cattail is a tall aquatic perennial that forms dense colonies in wetlands and water gardens. It produces distinctive brown cylindrical flower spikes and long, sword-like leaves that can reach 8-12 feet tall. This plant requires consistently moist to wet soil conditions and is best suited for bog gardens or pond edges.

In an HOA neighborhood

Southern Cattail takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

  • Height exceeds typical HOA-friendly range

Wildlife value

The flowers attract bees and butterflies during the long blooming season from spring through summer. The seeds provide food for waterfowl and the dense growth offers nesting habitat for marsh birds.

Common questions

How much sun does Southern Cattail need?
Southern Cattail grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Southern Cattail bloom?
Southern Cattail blooms in March, April, May, June, July, and August.
Where is Southern Cattail native?
Southern Cattail (Typha domingensis) is native to AL, AR, AZ, CA and 22 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What pollinators does Southern Cattail attract?
Southern Cattail draws butterflies and bees.
Is Southern Cattail HOA-friendly?
Southern Cattail takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

Ready to grow Southern Cattail? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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