Lizard's Tail
Lizard’s Tail {Saururus chinensis} is a charming marginal Pond Plant that brings fresh green foliage, creamy white blooms, and bright white markings near the top of the plant. The flower spikes curve gently like little lizard tails, giving this Pond Plant its fun common name. The blooms, leaves, and roots are pleasantly aromatic, which adds even more interest around the pond edge.
This shade-tolerant Pond Plant is a wonderful choice for brightening bogs, shelves, stream edges, and damp garden spots that need texture and movement. Lizard’s Tail grows upright at first, then slowly spreads by rhizomes to create a lush, natural look along moist pond margins. It is especially attractive in woodland-style water gardens, rain gardens, and soft natural pond edges.
Plant Lizard’s Tail Pond Plant in moist soil or shallow water in full sun to part shade. It will also flower in full shade, which makes it a valuable Pond Plant for spots where many blooming plants struggle. Mature plants usually reach about 1 to 3 feet tall with a spread of about 1 to 3 feet, and bloom from June into August.
For ponds with a liner, plant in a fabric pot or planting basket using heavy loam soil, then place the container so the crown sits at the soil line with about 1 to 4 inches of water over the soil. For earth-bottom or natural ponds, plant directly into the muddy or loamy edge of the pond at a similar shallow depth. Fertilize container-grown plants once a month from May through August with Waterlily World Pond Tabs + Humates to keep growth strong and foliage looking fresh.
Lizard’s Tail Pond Plants ship in spring at the proper planting time for your area and continue shipping through summer while in season. All live plants are covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee when any concerns are reported with photos within 24 hours of delivery.
Catalog facts
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Botanical name: Saururus chinensis
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Common name: Chinese Lizard’s Tail / Lizard’s Tail
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Plant type: Marginal aquatic perennial
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Height: 1–3 ft.
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Spread: 1–3 ft. with a running rhizome habit
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Bloom time: June–August
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Bloom color: White to yellowish white
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Light: Full sun to part shade; tolerant of full shade
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Moisture: Wet soil or shallow water
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USDA zones: 4–9
What customers love about this plant
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Bright white markings near the top leaves add extra contrast.
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Creamy white blooms look unusual and elegant beside the water.
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Fragrant foliage and flowers give this Pond Plant extra charm.
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Grows well in shady pond areas where many blooming plants struggle.
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Great for bogs, pond edges, shelves, streams, and rain gardens.
FAQ
Is Lizard’s Tail a good Pond Plant for shade?
Yes. It grows in full sun to part shade and can still flower in full shade, so it is a strong choice for brightening shady pond edges and woodland water gardens.
How deep should I plant my Lizard’s Tail?
Plant it in moist soil or shallow water. For a lined pond, I would merchandise this one as best in about 1–4 inches of water over the soil, while established plants can often handle a bit more depth. Lizard’s Tail to about 7 inches, and Missouri Botanical Garden lists shallow water up to 6 inches.
Can I plant this Pond Plant in an earth-bottom pond?
Yes. It can be planted directly into the muddy or loamy edge of a natural pond, or into a container in a lined pond. That matches both your site’s earth-bottom pond guidance and Missouri Botanical Garden’s natural-pond culture notes.
Does Lizard’s Tail spread?
Yes. It spreads by creeping rhizomes and can form a lovely colony along moist pond margins. If you want a neater clump, grow it in a fabric pot or planting basket.
When should I fertilize this Pond Plant?
For lined ponds and container culture, fertilize during active growth with Waterlily World Pond Tabs + Humates about once a month from May through August. For earth-bottom ponds, tabs can be pushed into the soil around the rooted plant during the growing season. Buy the Lizard’s Tail pond plant for fragrant white blooms, bright upper foliage, and easy shade color. Ships in season with Live Arrival Guarantee.
Ships in spring at the proper planting time for your area and through summer while in season. Covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee. If anything looks stressed on arrival, please email clear photos within 24 hours of delivery so we can help right away.
