Does it need to be in water?

It thrives in shallow water or very wet, boggy soil.

How do I control its spread?

You can plant it in a container before sinking it into the pond to restrict its rhizomes.

Plant guide

Lizard's tail.

Saururus cernuus

Pronounced saw-ROO-rus SER-noo-us

Also known as Lizard's Tail, lizard's-tail, water-dragon

Lizard's tail is a lovely aquatic perennial that thrives in shallow water or boggy soil. It's a native plant that brings a natural, wild feel to pond edges and rain gardens. You'll love how its unique, nodding flower spikes add texture to your landscape.

Another photo of Lizard's tail — Photo by Michael J. Papay (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Aquatic perennial
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 1 to 2 days
Mature size: 3 to 4 feet
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 3 to 9
Bloom time: Early to mid summer

Care

Keep the soil consistently wet or submerge the base in shallow water. Watch for wilting if the soil dries out completely. Trim back dead stems in late autumn to keep the patch tidy.

Watering: The soil must remain constantly saturated or submerged.
Feeding: Apply a balanced aquatic plant fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Cut back the entire plant to the ground after the first hard frost.
Repotting: Divide the rhizomes every few years to prevent overcrowding in containers.
Soil: Heavy clay or organic muck
Soil pH: 6.0 to 8.0
Temperature: -25 to 35°C
Humidity: 60 to 90%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years.
Fragrance: Light
Deer and rabbits: High

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
The plant becomes crowded and stops blooming.
The soil medium breaks down and loses structure.

Safety

People: The plant contains compounds that can cause skin irritation upon contact and digestive distress if eaten.
Children: Keep children away from the plant as the foliage and stems can be irritating if handled or chewed.
Contact allergens: The sap can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: Pollen may cause mild reactions in those with severe seasonal allergies.
Edibility: This plant is not considered edible and may cause stomach upset if ingested.

How to identify it

Heart shaped green leaves
Nodding spikes of white flowers
Fragrant foliage when crushed
Spreads via underground rhizomes

Height: 0.6 to 1.2m
Spread: 0.3 to 0.6m
Leaves: green, deciduous
Flowers: white, 10 to 15cm
Fruit: brown, Late summer

Problems to watch for

Aphids · Small insects that suck sap from new growth.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: division, seed, cuttings
When to plant: spring, early summer
Overwintering: In cold climates, the foliage will die back naturally. If in a container, ensure the roots do not freeze solid by sinking the pot deeper in the water.
In containers: It grows very well in containers placed in shallow water, provided the pot is at least 20 centimeters wide.

Division

1. Carefully dig up a clump in spring.
2. Separate the rhizomes using a sharp knife.
3. Replant the sections in moist soil or shallow water.

Group this plant with other moisture lovers to create a lush, self sustaining bog garden.

Grows well with

Blue Flag Iris · They share similar moisture requirements and bloom at complementary times.
Cardinal Flower · This plant adds a bold splash of red to contrast with the white lizard's tail flowers.

Similar species

Water Arum · It also thrives in wet, boggy conditions and has a unique flower structure.

Science

Family: Saururaceae
Genus: Saururus
Order: Piperales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Eastern and central North America.
Conservation: It is not currently listed as endangered, but it is sensitive to wetland habitat loss.

It grows in swamps and along stream banks, where it helps stabilize soil and filter water.

Value to wildlife: nectar source, cover for aquatic insects
Pollinators: bees, butterflies, beetles
Uses: rain gardens, pond margins, bog gardens, naturalizing

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 5/9
Light: 6/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 9/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need to be in water?: It thrives in shallow water or very wet, boggy soil.
How do I control its spread?: You can plant it in a container before sinking it into the pond to restrict its rhizomes.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Saururus comes from the Greek words for lizard and tail, describing the shape of the flower spike. The species name cernuus means nodding, referring to the way the flower tip droops.

Good to know

It is a great choice for areas with standing water.
The leaves often turn a lovely shade of red in the fall.
It spreads by underground rhizomes to form colonies.

Also in

Deer-resistant plants

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This guide was generated with AI on October 19, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.