Transplanting Wild Cattails into Your Pond Successfully

Harvesting

Use a shovel in shallow water to get a good root ball. A hand trowel works for small plants. Even a piece of rhizome with a growing tip will regenerate.

Planting

Plant in a pot (2+ gallons) with heavy clay soil topped with gravel, or directly in pond mud. Cattails are vigorous—expect to repot annually if containerized.

Caution

Cattails spread aggressively via rhizomes. In a lined pond, they can puncture the liner over time. Use a sturdy pot or designated planting pocket.