How much sun does Sword-leaf rush need?

Sword-leaf rush grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Sword-leaf rush bloom?

Sword-leaf rush blooms in May, June, and July.

Where is Sword-leaf rush native?

Sword-leaf rush (Juncus ensifolius) is native to CA, CO, ID, MT and 9 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

Sword-leaf rush

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Juncus ensifolius

Last reviewed: September 2026

Sword-leaf rush (Juncus ensifolius) is a perennial grass native to CA, CO, ID, MT and 9 more states. It blooms in May, June, and July.

Toxicity unknown

Sword-leaf rush (Juncus ensifolius) 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

high

Size

12"–24" H × 12"–18" W

Bloom

May, Jun, Jul

Native to

CA, CO, ID, MT and 9 more states

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 458 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Puget Lowland Marine West Coast Forest Northwestern Forested Mountains Sierra Nevada Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Southern California Mountains North American Deserts Central Basin and Range Mojave Basin and Range Southern Rockies High Plains Southwestern Tablelands Northwestern Glaciated Plains Northwestern Great Plains

A clumping rush with flattened, iris-like leaves and rounded clusters of dark brown to near-black flowers held above the foliage. Grows along stream edges, pond margins, and seasonally wet ground.

Growing Sword-leaf rush

Grow Sword-leaf rush in full sun and high water. Mature plants reach 12 to 24 inches tall and spread 12 to 18 inches wide.

Wildlife value

The dense clumps stabilize wet soils and provide cover for amphibians and nesting waterfowl, and the seeds are eaten by songbirds.

Common questions

How much sun does Sword-leaf rush need?: Sword-leaf rush grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Sword-leaf rush bloom?: Sword-leaf rush blooms in May, June, and July.
Where is Sword-leaf rush native?: Sword-leaf rush (Juncus ensifolius) is native to CA, CO, ID, MT and 9 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

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

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

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

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