Eleocharis acicularis | 9cm Pot | Red Flower

Price range: £3.02 through £4.43

Common Names

  • Dwarf Hairgrass
  • Needle Spike-rush

Eleocharis acicularis, or Dwarf Hairgrass, forms a vibrant, fine-textured green carpet in UK pond margins and bog gardens. This evergreen plant offers continuous colour and provides habitat for small aquatic wildlife. It’s ideal for damp soil or shallow water.

285 in stock

£4.43
3 – 4 pieces
£3.96 (11% off)
5 – 6 pieces
£3.49 (21% off)
7 – 12 pieces
£3.26 (26% off)
13 – 23 pieces
£3.02 (32% off)
24+ pieces
3
Eleocharis acicularis
£13.29

Transform your pond margins and bog gardens with Eleocharis acicularis, the captivating Dwarf Hairgrass, celebrated for its unique fine texture and vibrant green presence.

Eleocharis acicularis is a truly unique aquatic or bog plant, known for its delicate, needle-like foliage. It is often called Dwarf Hairgrass or Needle Spike-rush. This plant originates from wetlands across the globe and offers a superb solution for gardeners.

It adds a fine-textured, verdant carpet effect to moist areas. Its botanical name, ‘Eleocharis’, means ‘marsh grace’ in Greek, while ‘acicularis’ is Latin for ‘needle-like’. This accurately describes its slender stems.

Key Features of Eleocharis Acicularis

  • Exquisite Fine Texture: Eleocharis acicularis creates a soft, grass-like carpet, bringing a delicate beauty to your garden.

  • Vibrant Green Foliage: Its bright green, needle-thin stems remain evergreen, providing year-round colour and interest.

  • Exceptional Groundcover: This plant spreads gracefully by runners, quickly forming a dense, verdant mat in suitable conditions.

  • Wildlife Habitat: Dwarf Hairgrass offers shelter and foraging opportunities for small aquatic creatures and amphibians.

Understanding Eleocharis Acicularis

Eleocharis acicularis stands out for its distinctive form. Each slender stem is topped with a tiny, often unseen, flower spike. This plant forms a living carpet; therefore, it softens the edges of ponds beautifully. It also thrives in bog gardens and other consistently wet environments. Furthermore, its unique texture contrasts wonderfully with broader-leaved aquatic plants. Consequently, it creates visual depth and interest in any water feature.

Ideal Garden Uses for Dwarf Hairgrass

Gardeners often use Dwarf Hairgrass for creating lush, green carpets in very shallow water. It is equally suitable for damp soil at the water’s edge. Moreover, you can employ it to establish a natural transition from water to land. This plant effectively suppresses weeds when it forms a dense mat. Likewise, its subtle presence enhances the overall aesthetic without overwhelming other plantings. Many find it invaluable for paludariums, terrariums and container water features, too.

Foliage and Flowering Habits

The primary appeal of Eleocharis acicularis is its evergreen foliage. These fine, bright green stems provide continuous colour throughout the year. Although it does produce small flowers, they are extremely modest. These tiny, brownish spikes emerge mainly in summer. They hold little ornamental value; instead, the plant’s beauty lies entirely in its verdant, carpet-forming growth. This makes it a superb choice for a foliage-focused planting scheme.

Wildlife Benefits and Maintenance

Eleocharis acicularis contributes positively to garden ecosystems. Its dense root system and intricate stems provide excellent cover. Therefore, it supports small insects and larvae. These creatures then become food for birds and amphibians. Maintaining this plant is relatively simple. Trimming any overly long or straggly sections helps keep its carpet neat. This also encourages denser growth. Dwarf Hairgrass does not require specific shaping or pruning for form; rather, maintenance focuses on containment.

Max Height 0.15 at maturity
Max Spread 0.50 at maturity
Growth Rate Fast
Fast-growing
Position
Full Sun Partial Sun
Soil Type
Loam Clay Silt Peat
H3 H3 – Hardy in some regions

Hardy in mild coastal and urban areas. May suffer in cold inland sites.

−25°C +15°C
Typical minimum: -5°C to 1°C

Care Notes

Eleocharis acicularis thrives in consistently moist to wet conditions, ideally in shallow water (2-5cm above the crown) or very boggy soil. Ensure it receives good light; full sun to partial sun is best for vigorous growth. Trimming any overly long or untidy sections helps to maintain a dense, neat carpet. In natural pond settings, it typically does not require additional fertilisation. For container-grown plants in exposed areas, offer some winter protection during particularly harsh frosts.