Soft Rush
Juncus effusus
Traits
Varieties We Bring In
Last received Mar 11, 2026.
We bring this in seasonally, so what is on the lot changes week to week. A received date shows when it last came in, not that it is here today.
Call (904) 471-0440 to confirm this plant and size before you make the trip.
About Soft Rush
Soft rush (Juncus effusus) is a clumping, semi-aquatic perennial native to wetlands across North America, Europe, and Asia, forming dense upright columns of round, dark-green stems. It is widely used in rain gardens, pond edges, and water features, and provides cover for wetland wildlife. Starting at $7.95.
Plant details
- Bloom Season
- Spring, Summer
- Flower Color
- Non-flowering
- Growth Rate
- Moderate
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Soil
- Sandy, Loam, Clay, Acidic, Wet
Best planting months
Seasonal care
Bloom season. Good planting window.
Bloom season. Higher water demand in summer heat.
Growth slows as temperatures cool.
Retains foliage through winter.
Care essentials
Performs best in full sun but tolerates part sun; in NE Florida, full-sun wet sites such as pond edges and rain garden basins are ideal. Adequate light helps maintain the upright form and prevents flopping.
A wetland native that thrives in saturated soils, shallow standing water (up to 4 inches deep), or consistently moist garden soils. Perfect for pond margins, bioswales, and rain gardens in NE Florida. Will also grow in average garden soil kept consistently moist.
Adapts to sandy, loamy, or clay soils as long as moisture is high. No fertilizer required in typical wetland or rain garden settings. Cut back old stems in early spring before new growth emerges; divide every few years if clumps become too large.
Similar needs
Bushy Bluestem
Shares 4 of the same needs: full sun, high water, sandy, and zone 9a hardiness.
Alligator Flag
Shares 4 of the same needs: full sun, high water, loam, and zone 9a hardiness.
American Hornbeam
Shares 4 of the same needs: full sun, high water, sandy, and zone 9a hardiness.
American Snowbell
Shares 4 of the same needs: full sun, high water, loam, and zone 9a hardiness.
Buttonbush
Shares 4 of the same needs: full sun, high water, sandy, and zone 9a hardiness.
Calla Lily
Shares 4 of the same needs: similar light, high water, loam, and zone 9a hardiness.
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Common questions
Is Soft Rush a good plant for St. Augustine?
Soft Rush is a grass for Zone 9b coastal Florida gardens, reaching 2-3.5 feet × 2-3 feet.
Care information verified from
Last reviewed March 2026. Our care guidance comes from trusted horticulture sources and decades of helping St. Augustine gardeners. Conditions here can vary dramatically from one area to the next, so come ask us and we'll tailor it to your yard.