Sweet Flag Acorus calamus – aromatic medicinal and ornamental wetland plant | Heart Garden Studio

🌿 Sweet Flag (Acorus calamus)

Sweet flag is a perennial, aromatic wetland plant with long green leaves and spike-like flower heads, which are yellow-green when blooming and turn brown and decorative later in the season. The spikes remain beautiful throughout winter, making this plant popular in floral arrangements and garden design.

🌸 Plant Characteristics

• Botanical name: Acorus calamus

• Height: 0.6–0.8 m

• Blooming period: June–August

• Flower spikes: yellow-green, later brown – very beautiful and decorative in winter

• Foliage: green, linear, aromatic

• Habitat: wet meadows, ditches, pond and lake edges

• Plant type: perennial herb with a creeping, thick rhizome

🌱 Growing from Seeds

Sweet flag can also be grown from seeds – an easy way to produce healthy, strong plants perfect for ponds and damp areas.

🌾 Sowing Guide

1. Sowing time: late March – May.

2. Preparation:

   • Soak seeds for 24 hours in warm water (+25 °C).

   • Stratify for 2–4 weeks in moist substrate in the refrigerator (+3…+5 °C) before sowing.

3. Substrate: peat and sand mix (2:1) that retains moisture well.

4. Sowing:

   • Scatter seeds on the surface; do not cover deeply, as they need light to germinate.

   • Cover with a thin layer of moist sand (2–3 mm), or use perlite, vermiculite,
     or cover the pot with garden fleece (agrofabric) to maintain humidity and airflow.

5. Temperature: +20…+25 °C, humidity 80–90%.

6. Germination: 2–6 weeks.

7. Seedling care:

   • Keep the soil constantly moist,

   • Avoid direct sunlight on seedlings.

8. Transplanting outdoors:

   • Once plants reach 10–15 cm, plant them in shallow water (up to 10 cm) or on moist pond banks.

   • Choose a sunny or partially shaded spot.

📦 Seed package: 10 seeds.

🌾 Harvesting and Preparing Rhizomes

Rhizomes are harvested:

• from late summer to late autumn, or in spring (April) when water levels are lower;

• small rhizomes are left for natural regrowth;

• washed, trimmed of roots and leaves, and cut into 15–20 cm pieces;

• thick rhizomes are split lengthwise and damaged parts removed;

• wilt and dry in a well-ventilated place or dryer at up to +40 °C;

• to obtain peeled herbal material, peel rhizomes before drying.

💊 Medicinal Properties and Uses

Sweet flag rhizomes contain essential oils and bitter substances that:

• stimulate appetite and improve digestion;

• relieve spasms, pain, gas, and diarrhea;

• act antibacterially, fungicidally, and soothingly;

• slightly lower blood pressure while toning the nervous system;

• support kidney, liver, and gallbladder function.

🌼 In Folk Medicine

• Used for digestive issues, edema, toothache, and gum disease.

• Chewing rhizomes refreshes breath and helps quit smoking.

• Rhizome powder is applied to poorly healing wounds and ulcers.

• Baths and compresses are used for inflammatory female conditions.

• During epidemics, sweet flag was considered a protective herb.

🏡 In the Home and Household

For centuries, dried or fresh sweet flag leaves were scattered around homes to repel parasites – fleas and insects.
Their pleasant, calming scent was believed to refresh the air and promote relaxation.
This old tradition continues today as a natural way to create a clean and peaceful atmosphere.

💆‍♀️ In Natural Cosmetics

Sweet flag decoction is a natural hair strengthener:

• used to wash hair 2–3 times per week,

• strengthens hair roots, reduces dandruff, and adds shine.
  Its essential oils give a fresh herbal fragrance to natural products.

🌺 Decorative Use

Sweet flag adds elegance to ponds, wetlands, and natural gardens.
Brown spikes create a vertical accent and are widely used in floral design, dry bouquets, and winter decorations.
This hardy plant remains very beautiful and decorative through the winter.

🪶 Author: Heart Garden Studio

Nature garden and healing plants with heart.
Discover more natural inspiration and plant wisdom at:
👉 www.heartgardenstudio.eu